BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (AP) - Food maker Kellogg says federal authorities have confirmed that salmonella has been found in a package of one of its peanut butter crackers.
Last week the Battle Creek, Mich.-based company recalled 16 products due to possible salmonella contamination.
On Monday it said that contamination was confirmed by the Food and Drug Administration in a package of Austin Quality Foods Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter.
Also Monday, Meijer Inc. is recalling two types of crackers and two varieties of ice cream due to possible salmonella contamination.
Meijer brand Cheese and Peanut Butter and Toasty Peanut Butter sandwich crackers and Peanut Butter and Jelly and Peanut Butter Cup ice cream are being recalled.
A salmonella outbreak has killed at least six people and sickened more than 470 others in 43 states.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
FDA Press Release
Meijer Announces Voluntary Recall for Some Meijer Brand Peanut Butter Crackers and Ice Cream Because of Possible Health Risk
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan -- January 19, 2009 -- Meijer initiated a voluntary recall of two types of its Meijer Brand crackers and two types of Meijer Brand ice cream sold in all of its stores and gas stations in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. Meijer removed all identified products from its stores and gas stations.
All sell-by dates are impacted by this recall. Specifically, Meijer has recalled the following items:
Meijer Cheese and Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, UPC #0-41250-56235
Meijer Toasty Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, UPC #0-41250-56239
Meijer Peanut Butter and Jelly Ice Cream, UPC #00000007-19283-96635-3
Meijer Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream, UPC #00000007-19283-96843-2
Meijer has taken these steps following announcements from the products' manufacturers that they may possibly be contaminated with salmonella.
Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. For more information on Salmonella, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Website at http://www.cdc.gov .
While none of the Meijer brand products have been identified as contaminated nor linked to any illness, Meijer has removed these products while the FDA continues its investigation to verify the source of a nationwide outbreak.
Meijer requests that customers who have purchased these products destroy the product or return them to any Meijer location for a full refund. If Meijer customers are unsure if they have the recalled product, they are requested to bring in the product for determination or contact the Meijer customer contact center at 800-543-3704. Consumers with questions or concerns about their health should contact their health care provider. If symptoms are present, please visit a health care provider or go to a hospital emergency room.
"The safety of our customers has always been our number one priority," said Stacie Behler, vice president of public affairs for Meijer. "Meijer has taken these precautionary steps to help protect our customers and will return this product to our stores only once it is safe for our shoppers."
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