VA Salmonella Cases Grow From Honey Smacks Cereal: CDC

VIRGINIA — Almost three months after salmonella cases in Virginia and other states were tied to a tainted breakfast cereal, consumers are still eating it and federal health safety officials are fed up. A clearly exasperated worker for the US Food and Drug Administration wrote on Twitter Tuesday, "Seriously, get rid of Kellogg’s #HoneySmacks in the cabinets!"

When the recall was issued, more than 70 people in the US had been stricken with salmonella. That number has nearly doubled to 130 confirmed infections in 34 states. In Virginia the number has inched up to five cases since the recall announcement. If you have the recalled cereal you are urged to throw it away or return it to the store for a refund, and retailers have been reminded to get the cereal off shelves.

Click here to see the map of states included in the outbreak.

The recall issued in mid-June covers 15.3 oz. and 23 oz. packages of Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal with a "best if used by" date from June 14, 2018 through June 14, 2019. The "best if used by" date is on the box top.

The recalled 15.3 oz. Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal has a UPC code of 38000 39103. The recalled 23.0 oz. Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal has a UPC code of 38000 14810. The UPC code is on the bottom of the box.

"Even if some of the cereal was eaten and no one got sick, throw the rest of it away or return it for a refund," the CDC warned. If you store cereal in a container and have discarded the packaging with the codes, just throw away any Honey Smacks cereal, the CDC advised. Be sure to thoroughly wash the container "to remove harmful germs."

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Consuming products contaminated with salmonella can result in serious illness, health experts warn. It can also produce serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals infected with salmonella can suffer fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, it can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.

Image via FDA