FDA Investigating Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Mbandaka Infections Linked to Kellogg’s Honey Smacks Cereal

The FDA Reminds Consumers and Retailers that All Kellogg’s Honey Smacks Cereal is Recalled

July 12, 2018 Update

The FDA has become aware that recalled Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal are still being offered for sale. All Honey Smacks cereal was recalled in June 2018.

Retailers cannot legally offer the cereal for sale and consumers should not purchase Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal.

The FDA has learned that some retailers are still selling this product. The FDA will continue to monitor this situation closely and follow up with retailers as we become aware of recalled products being offered for sale. Additionally, the public is urged to report any product being offered for sale to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator in their region. More information about the recall can be found at FDA.gov.

Fast Facts

• The FDA, CDC, along with state and local officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Mbandaka infections linked to Kellogg’s Honey Smacks sweetened puffed wheat cereal.
• The CDC reports that 100 people in 33 states have become ill. There have been 30 hospitalizations and no deaths.
• Following discussion with FDA, CDC, and state partners, the Kellogg Company voluntarily recalled Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal. The recalled products were distributed across the United States including Guam and Saipan and internationally. Consumers should not eat any Honey Smacks cereal.
• As this is an ongoing investigation, the FDA will update this page as more information becomes available, such as product information, epidemiological results, and recalls.
• The FDA provided a more detailed a list of foreign countries to which the Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal was distributed.. Here is the list of the foreign countries: Aruba/Curaçao/Saint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles), the Bahamas, Barbados, Tortola (British Virgin Islands), Costa Rica, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Panama, and Tahiti (French Polynesia).
• The FDA is advising consumers to not eat and to discard any Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal. This is regardless of size or “best if used by” dates. The recall notice accounts for all of the product that is on the market within the cereal’s estimated one year shelf-life. However, Honey Smacks products with earlier dates could also potentially be contaminated.
• The FDA quickly initiated an inspection at the contract facility where Kellogg’s Honey Smacks is manufactured. As part of the inspection, investigators collected environmental and product samples. Analysis of the environmental samples is now complete, and they were found to be a match to the outbreak strain. In addition, product samples collected and analyzed by state partners were positive for the outbreak strain of Salmonella Mbandaka. As of June 12, 2018, the manufacturing facility is no longer producing product. The FDA continues to work with the firm to address corrective actions.
• Consumers who have symptoms of Salmonella infection should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care. Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Most infections usually lasts 4 to 7 days and most people recover without treatment, however some people develop diarrhea so severe that they need to be hospitalized.

What is the Problem and What is Being Done About It?

The FDA, CDC, along with state and local officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Mbandaka infections linked to Kellogg’s Honey Smacks sweetened puffed wheat cereal.

The FDA and CDC, along with our state partners contacted The Kellogg Company and as a result of discussions, the company has voluntarily recalled Kellogg’s Honey Smacks to prevent further distribution of potentially contaminated products. The recalled products were distributed across the United States including Guam and Saipan, and internationally in certain countries.

There are 100 people ill with this strain of Salmonella in 33 states: Alabama (2), Arizona (3), California (6), Colorado (1), Connecticut (4), Florida (2), Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Indiana (3), Kentucky (2), Louisiana (2), Massachusetts (7), Maryland (2), Michigan (4), Mississippi (1), Montana (2), North Carolina (4), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (4), New York (11), Ohio (1), Oklahoma (2), Oregon (2), Pennsylvania (8), Rhode Island (2), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (2), Texas (3), Utah (1), Virginia (5), Washington (3), Wisconsin (1), West Virginia (4).The ages of the ill people range from less than one year to 95 (median 57 years) and 68% of cases are female. Reported illness onset dates range from 3/3/18 – 7/2/18. Among 77 with available information, 30 (39%) have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

Timeline

On May 17, 2018 the FDA learned about a cluster of Salmonella Mbandaka illnesses in multiple states.

In the following weeks, the FDA, CDC, and state partners worked together to collect additional information to identify a food item of interest. Interviews with ill people allowed health partners to identify Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal as a possible source of the illnesses.

As a result of discussions with the Kellogg company and the contract manufacturer, on June 14, 2018,The Kellogg Company voluntarily recalled Honey Smacks cereal.

On June 14, 2018 the FDA began collecting environmental and product samples from the contract manufacturer’s facility.

On June 15, 2018 the FDA updated our web posting to include a list of known countries where the recalled product was distributed and to advise that consumers not eat and discard any Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal.

On July 12, 2018 the FDA and CDC updated their web posting to include additional cases linked to this outbreak. We also reminded consumers and retailers that the cereal has been recalled and should not be consumed or sold.

Recalled Products

The recall notice accounts for all of the product that is on the market within the cereal’s estimated one-year shelf-life. However, Honey Smacks products with earlier dates could also potentially be contaminated.

What are the Symptoms of Salmonella Infections?

Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment. Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection.

In some people, the diarrhea may be so severe that they need to be hospitalized. In these patients, the Salmonellainfection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.

Who is at Risk?

Children are the most likely to get salmonellosis. The rate of diagnosed infections in children less than five years old is higher than the rate in all other people. Children younger than five, the elderly, and those people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections. It is estimated that approximately 400 persons in the United States die each year with acute salmonellosis. 

What Do Restaurants and Retailers Need To Do?

Retailers should not sell and should discard all recalled products. The recalled products were distributed across the United States including Guam and Saipan, and internationally in:
Aruba/Curaçao/Saint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles), the Bahamas, Barbados, Tortola (British Virgin Islands), Costa Rica, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Panama, and Tahiti (French Polynesia)

Retailers, restaurants, and other food service operators should always practice safe food handling and preparation measures. It is recommended that they wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after handling food.

• Wash and sanitize display cases and refrigerators regularly.
• Wash and sanitize cutting boards, surfaces, and utensils used to prepare, serve, or store food.
• Wash hands with hot water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.
• Regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces and utensils used in food preparation may help to minimize the likelihood of cross-contamination.

What Do Consumers Need To Do?

The FDA is advising consumers to not eat and discard any Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal. This is regardless of size or “best if used by” dates. If already purchased, consumers should throw it away or return to the place of purchase for a refund. The FDA continues to collect information to determine any additional sources. The FDA will update this posting as soon as more information becomes available.

Consumers should always practice safe food handling and preparation measures. It is recommended that they wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after handling food.

Who Should be Contacted?

People who think they might have symptoms of a Salmonella infection should consult their health care provider. The FDA encourages consumers with questions about food safety to Submit An Inquiry, or to visit www.fda.gov/fcic for additional information.