Recalled Malt-O-Meal cereal link to salmonella food poisoning is probed

[Jolie Rouge]

Cereal link to food poisoning is probed
1 hour, 40 minutes ago

MINNEAPOLIS - At least 23 people in 14 states have been sickened by the same strain of salmonella found in two breakfast cereals recalled by Malt-O-Meal, the federal Food and Drug Administration said Saturday.

Officials in Minnesota are investigating whether a case in that state might be linked to the cereals produced by the Minneapolis-based company, the state health department said.

Malt-O-Meal voluntarily recalled its unsweetened Puffed Rice and Puffed Wheat cereals April 5 after finding salmonella contamination during routine testing. The affected bags were produced in the past 12 months in Northfield.

"The Malt-O-Meal company has been extremely cooperative in this investigation and has done the right thing to protect the public's health," Heidi Kassenborg, director of the dairy and food inspection division at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, said in a statement.

Three people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Symptoms of salmonella infection include nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. It can be life-threatening for people with poor health or weakened immune systems, including young children and the elderly.

The FDA said people who experience such symptoms after eating a puffed wheat or puffed rice cereal made by Malt-O-Meal should contact their doctors and report the illness to state or local health authorities.

The FDA said the recalled products were distributed nationally under the Malt-O-Meal brand name, as well as private labels including Acme, America's Choice, Food Club, Giant, Hannaford, Jewel, Laura Lynn, Pathmark, Shaw's, ShopRite, Tops and Weis Quality. The cereal bags have "best if used by" dates from April 8, 2008 (coded as APR0808), through March 18, 2009 (coded as MAR1809).

Consumers with products from the recalled lots are advised to throw them out, and retailers have been told to remove the cereals from their shelves.

The CDC said that as of Friday it had received reports of 21 people ill with the same salmonella strain in 13 states. California reported 1; Colorado, 1; Delaware, 1; Maine, 3; Massachusetts, 2; Minnesota, 1; North Dakota, 1; New Hampshire, 2; New Jersey, 3; New York, 3; Pennsylvania, 1; Rhode Island, 1; and Vermont, 1.

It wasn't clear Saturday what the 14th state was or whether the two additional cases were from there.

On the Net:

FDA announcement: http://*******.com/6h7r7x

Recall announcement: http://www.malt-o-meal.com/recallinfo

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080413/ap_on_re_us/cereal_recall;_ylt=Ajtr7KUZyX2rKSoJlFiugDSs0NUE

[Jolie Rouge]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 11, 2008

Consumer contact:
Malt-O-Meal Consumer Affairs
877-665-9331
www.maltomeal.com

Media contact:
Jon Austin
612-839-5172
jon@jaustingroup.com

Malt-O-Meal Company Provides Update on Voluntary Recall of Unsweetened Puffed Rice and unsweetened Puffed Wheat Cereals

On April 5, Malt-O-Meal announced that it was voluntarily recalling its unsweetened Puffed Rice and unsweetened Puffed Wheat Cereals produced with “Best If Used By” codes between April 8, 2008 (coded as “APR0808”) and March 18, 2009 (coded as “MAR1809”) because they may have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

The recalled product was distributed nationally, marketed under the Malt-O-Meal brand and as some private label brands including Acme, America’s Choice, Food Club, Giant, Hannaford, Jewel, Laura Lynn, Pathmark, Shaw’s, ShopRite, Tops and Weis Quality. A comprehensive listing of impacted products can be found at http://www.malt-o-meal.com/recallinfo

All other Malt-O-Meal products remain unaffected by this action and are safe for continued sale and consumption. The products affected by this recall represent less than one-half of one percent of the company’s annual production of ready-to-eat cereal.

Since the announcement, Malt-O-Meal has been working with appropriate state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Minnesota Department of Health to carry out the recall and to investigate the situation. While no illnesses had been reported at the time of the recall, a number of reports of illness are currently being investigated by public health authorities. Malt-O-Meal will continue work closely with these agencies and lend any possible assistance.

“Our first and highest priority remains the safety of the consumers who use our products,” said Malt-O-Meal President and CEO Chris Neugent. “We very much appreciate that our distributors and retail partners have been quick to implement this recall and that the media has helped us get the word out. We apologize for this situation and promise to do everything to complete the recall as quickly as possible.”

The recall was initiated after the company’s internal routine food safety testing detected the presence of Salmonella in a product produced on March 24, 2008. The company immediately commenced an investigation to determine the root cause of this one positive finding as well as the extent of any possible exposure. Initial results from this follow-up investigation indicate that additional product may have been exposed to this contaminant. Thus, out of an abundance of caution to protect consumers, the company has chosen to voluntarily remove all unsweetened Puffed Rice and unsweetened Puffed Wheat products with “Best If Used By” codes between April 8, 2008 (coded as “APR0808”) and March 18, 2009 (coded as “MAR1809”). Investigation into the source of the Salmonella has determined a root cause of this situation and corrective measures have been taken to ensure that there is no reoccurrence of this issue.

Persons infected with Salmonella may experience a variety of symptoms and illnesses including fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in more severe illnesses, some potentially life threatening.

Consumers who have purchased any products covered by this recall are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-877-665-9331. Information regarding this recall, including images of the Malt-O-Meal product packaging, also will be posted to the company’s website at www.malt-o-meal.com/recallinfo.

“Malt-O-Meal has a strong food safety record and we are constantly looking for ways to improve our products and procedures to exceed industry standards,” said Neugent. “We have a strong food safety program in place throughout our operations, including our warehouse, processing facility and distribution system.”

Neugent noted that the company’s on-going food safety precautions include:



An industry-leading Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) program
Sanitary practice monitoring system
Equipment disinfection program
Employee training and ongoing education programs
Microbiological testing of raw, in-process and finished products
GMP training (Good Manufacturing Practices)
Recall program

The company also recently instituted an industry-leading program to require its suppliers to provide proof of effective food safety programs and the results of a third-party audit regarding those practices.

“We will take any additional measures necessary to preserve our customers’ confidence in the safety and wholesomeness of the products we offer to consumers,” said Neugent.

Founded in 1919, the Malt-O-Meal Company is privately held and headquartered in the IDS Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Malt-O-Meal, the Nation’s fourth largest ready-to-eat cereal manufacturer, supplies a full line of branded cereals and private label cereals to the grocery industry. The company currently produces 30 different branded ready-to-eat cereals, three varieties of Malt-O-Meal Hot Wheat cereal, and a full line of oatmeal products. The company currently operates five production facilities and four distribution centers around the U.S.

http://www.malt-o-meal.com/recallinfo/