Did FDA just reveal manufacturer of contaminated Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal?

When CDC alerted the public on June 14th to an outbreak of Salmonella illnesses linked to Kellogg’s Honey Smacks breakfast cereal, the agency was coy as to who was the actual manufacturer of the contaminated product.

Today, with its weekly release of Warning Letters, FDA may have answered the question.

On July 26, 2018, FDA issued a formal Warning Letter to Kerry Inc., headquartered in Beloit, Wisconsin after an inspection of the company’s cereal-production facility in Gridley, IL revealed a manufacturing environment in which Salmonella had made itself at home.

The Warning Letter listed several serious violations of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act, including:

The Gridley facility’s hazard analysis did not include contamination of ready-to-eat cereal with environmental pathogens such as Salmonella, even though this type of contamination has occurred in the past
Gridley repeated found Salmonella in its production environment, but took no corrective action
Gridley recorded 81 positive Salmonella environmental samples and 32 positive Salmonella vector samples between September 29, 2016 and May 16, 2018
Gridley did not implement sanitation or preventive control procedures upon finding Salmonella in its manufacturing environment
Gridley did not implement the company’s own written environmental monitoring program procedures.

The Warning Letter does not refer to Kellogg’s Honey Smacks, or to any other brand or variety of ready-to-eat breakfast cereal by name, nor does it make reference to the Salmonella outbreak linked to Honey Smacks.

This Salmonella-laced production plant manufactures ready-to-eat cereals and “rice crisps intended for pet food“, according to the Warning Letter. One of the Salmonella-positive environmental samples found as a result of the FDA inspection was from the “…bottom of the roll-up door between [the] cereal coating room and [the] processing room for rice crisps intended for pet food.”

In its initial Outbreak Investigation release, CDC said, “Thirty (77%) of 39 people interviewed reported eating cold cereal. In interviews, 14 people specifically reported eating Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal.”

The Salmonella problem at Gridley dates back almost two full years, to September 2016. It is very likely that other brands of ready-to-eat breakfast cereal manufactured in this facility during the last two years also harbor Salmonella. Some pet foods may be at risk as well.

Where are the other recalls?

Recalls and Alerts: July 24 – 28, 2018

Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

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United States

Allergy Alert: TeaSource recalls Roasted Chestnut loose leaf tea (1lb, 4oz, 2oz, or sample metal foil pouches) due to undeclared almonds.

Food Safety Recall: Lipari Foods, LLC recalls Premo brand Turkey & Swiss Club sandwiches (4/6 oz; Lot #17201807; Sell by 08/06/2018; UPC 612510001042) and Fresh Grab brand Turkey & Swiss Club sandwiches (18/6 oz; Lot #17201807; Sell by 08/06/2018; UPC 612510001042) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recalled products were distributed to food service and retail stores throughout Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wisconsin and West Virginia.

Canada

Allergy Alert (Update): AJ International Trading recalls Wulama brand Fish Tofu and Want Want brand Shake Jelly products (see recall notice for complete product details) due to undeclared egg, sesame, and milk. The recalled products were distributed to retailers in Ontario.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Ireland): FSAI alerts consumers to undeclared sesame in Dee Durian Flavoured Thai Crispy Rolls (150g; Best before end August 2019, December 2019 & March 2020).

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Lidl Ireland recalls McEnnedy Peanut Flavoured Super Size Flips (450g; Best before 12/11/2018; Batch code L35104) due to undeclared peanuts, other nuts, and cereal containing gluten.

Allergy Alert (Italy): Unigràs SRL recalls various flavours of Orasì Soia beverages due to undeclared milk. Please refer to the individual recall notices for complete details on the affected products.

Allergy Alert (UK): Quorn recalls Quorn brand 2 Gluten Free Burgers (2-pack/227g; Batch code 708049; Best before 30-Nov-19) due to undeclared gluten.

Allergy Alert Update (UK): Bradbury & Son (Buxton) Ltd recalls Lo-Col cheese alternative (195g; Best before 19 September 2018, 1 October 2018, 3 October 2018, 7 October 2018, 9 October 2018) because milk is not emphasized on the labelling.

Allergy Alert (UK): Asco Foods Ltd recalls Dee Thai Crispy Rolls – Durian Flavour (150g; Best before end of August 2019, December 2019, March 2020) due to undeclared sesame.

Allergy Alert (UK): Sainsbury’s recalls by Sainsbury’s Coconut & Yogurt filled Breakfast Biscuits and by Sainsbury’s Cocoa filled Breakfast Biscuits (186g; All batch codes; All date codes) due to undeclared sesame.

Allergy Alert (UK): Co-op recalls Hoisin Chicken Noodle Box (244g; Use by 31 Jul 2018) due to undeclared milk.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Løgismose recalls Løgismose brand håndskårne kyllingelår (370 – 500 grams; Lot #1921800921; Best by 26/07/18) and Løgismose brand kyllingebryst med vinge (310 – 425 grams; Lot #1921800921; Best by 26/07/18) due to Campylobacter contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Antoine Sabatier recalls Véritable jambon persillé de Bourgogne supérieur (350g; Lot #18198199; Best before 04/08/18) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Capitaine Houat recalls Crevettes entières cuites réfrigérées CAL 40/60 pièces/kg (500g; Best before 22/07/2018 – lot #38731191, Best before 23/07/2018 – lot #38776192, Best before 24/07/2018 – lot #38797193) due to Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): GI-DOR-LAND recalls La CONSERVERIE DES BONNES CHOSES, LES GASTRONOMIES DU BERGERACOIS, LA PERLE DE RIGORD et ALAIN MARTIN preserves (cans and glass containers; all expiry dates between 01/07/21 and 07/06/22) to due anomalies in manufacture.

Food Safety Recall (France): MAXIME GERAUD recalls Maxime Geraud brand Salade 4 saisons aux tomates fraiches (250g; Lots 18169, 18172, 18176, 18179, 18183, 18186; Best by 09/07/2018, 12/07/2018, 16/07/2018, 19/07/2018, 23/07/2018, 26/07/2018) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): MAXIME GERAUD recalls MAXIME GERAUD brand Salade landaise et gésiers (1.8Kg; Lots 18172, 18179, 18183; Best before 09/07/2018, 16/07/2018, 20/07/2018) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Casino recalls Sandwich polaire saumon fumé aneth (130g; Lot #819901; Best before 04/08/2018) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): LFO recalls Capitoul brand MIX SCHAF/ZIEGE cheese (4.5Kg; Batch codes 2018115126/2018116127; Best before 25.07./26.07.2018) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Havers GmbH Direktvermarktung recalls Knackwurst (All batch codes from 5.07.2018 through 25.07.2018) due to Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Whitworths recalls Whitworths Granulated Sugar (1.65Kg; Batch codes F301U81902 and F301U81933) due to foreign matter (small pieces of metal wire) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): G.S. S.p.A. recalls TERRE D’ITALIA brand Formaggio Fontina D.O.P. (approx. 250g; Lot #171; Best before 19-08-2018) due to Shiga-toxin producing E. coli.

Food Safety Recall (Sweden): ERIKSONS CHARK recalls GRILLKORV (8-pack and 16-pack; Pack date 23.07.2018) due to foreign matter (plastic pieces) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Tereos UK recalls various brands and batch codes of Granulated Sugar due to foreign matter (small metal pieces) contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Recall (Ireland): PepsiCo recalls Tropicana Trop 50 Multivitamins Juice (1L; Best before 14/10/2018) due to fermentation spoilage.

Food Recall (UK): PepsiCo recalls Tropicana Trop 50 Multivitamins Juice (1L; Best before 14/10/2018) due to fermentation spoilage.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (New Zealand): The Finger Food Shop recalls The Finger Food Shop brand Curry Rice Rolls (12-pack; All batch codes; All best before dates) due to undeclared soy.

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Protein Supplies Australia recalls Lactose Free Whole Milk Powder (1kg; Best Before 29/12/19) due to foreign matter (metal) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Bovells Bakery recalls various Bovells Bakery Wholemeal Breads due to foreign matter (metal) contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Little Angels Baby Ltd recalls Little Angels brand Pure Baby Food (specific batches of 5 flavours) due to lack of process control.

Recalls and Alerts: July 23 – 25, 2018

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United States

OUTBREAK ALERT: CDC reports a 5-state outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to Hy-Vee Spring Pasta Salad. Five of the 21 confirmed outbreak victims were hospitalized. Hy-Vee recalled the implicated product on July 17, 2018.

Food Safety Recall: Kraft Heinz recalls Taco Bell Salsa Con Queso Mild Cheese Dip because product is showing signs of product separation, which could allow for growth of Clostridium botulinum. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affect batch codes.

Food Safety Recall: Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) recalls dry whey powder (50-lb and 25-kg bags; Lot Nos. 7000.118.121.BL – 7000.118.125.BL, 7000.118.144.BL – 7000.118.149.BL, 7000.118.153.BL – 7000.118.156.BL & 7000.118.158.BL – 7000.118.165.BL) due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled product was sold directly to manufacturers and also distributed by brokers. A limited amount was sold for animal feed. None of the recalled whey powder was supplied directly to the retail market.

Food Safety Recall: Pepperidge Farm recalls four varieties of Goldfish crackers due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled products were manufactured using whey powder recalled by AMPI. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were distributed to retailers nationwide.

Food Safety Recall: Flowers Foods, Inc. recalls Swiss Rolls sold under the brand names Mrs. Freshley’s, Food Lion, H-E-B, Baker’s Treat, Market Square, and Great Value, distributed nationwide, and Captain John Derst’s Old Fashioned Bread distributed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, due to the possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled products were manufactured using whey powder recalled by AMPI. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products and details on where they were sold.

Canada

Food Safety Recall: Campbell Company of Canada recalls Pepperidge Farm brand Goldfish Flavour Blasted Xtreme Cheddar Crackers (180g; Product codes 20/JAN/19, 24/JAN/19, 31/JAN/19, 2/FEB/19, 11/FEB/19, 18/FEB/19; UPC 0 14100 08406 8) and Pepperidge Farm brand Goldfish Flavour Blasted Xtreme Cheddar Crackers (69g; Product codes 25/JAN/19 & 26/JAN/19; UPC 0 14100 23245 2) due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled products were manufactured using whey powder recalled by AMPI and were distributed to retailers nationwide.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Germany): AURO – Braunschweig recalls Easter Egg Dyes (27g; Best before 08/2019) due to undeclared gluten.

Allergy Alert (UK): Nutrisport Ltd recalls various Nutrisport and Atlas protein products due to undeclared milk. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Hagor NV recalls Hermus Farine de noix de coco (500g; Lot Nos. LK-CN2193H/5-6, LK-CN2193H/19-6, & LK-CN2193H/3-7; Best by 30-06-2019) due to foreign matter (metal particles) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Kosova Foods BVBA recalls Qyfte, Qyfte pikant, hamburger, hamburger pikant, kebab (1250g; Lot #20180718; Best by 30/07/2018) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Cora recalls Lustucru Lunch box Tortellini 4 fromages (360g; Lot Nos. C1840/, C1850/, C1900/, C1910/, C1930; Best before 01/08/18, 02/08/18, 07/08/18, 08/08/18, 10/08/18) due to foreign matter (metal filaments) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Salling Group A/S recalls ØGO Creme Fraiche organic dressing (240g; Best before 11/02/2019) due to foreign matter (glass particles) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Thiriet and Monoprix recall Thiriet brand Riz et bœuf à la mexicaine (900g; Lot #17290, Best before 04/2019; Lot #18089, Best before 09/2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Ronsard recalls Ronsard brand Aiguillettes de Poulet Nature (250g; Batch code A877129; Best before 05/08/18) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): CAPITOUL recalls various Capitoul brand Fromages ITCHEBAI due to suspected microbiological contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were sold at System U and may also have been supplied to other retailers.

Food Safety Recall (France): Netto recalls Netto brand Bol poulet-crudités (250g; Lots 18190803, 18191803, 18192803, 18193803, 18194803, 18197807; Best before 19/07/2018, 20/07/2018, 21/07/2018, 23/07/2018, 23/07/2018, 26/07/2018) due to Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Specht Fleischwaren Vertriebs GmbH & Co. KG recalls Hofmaier brand German Top Quality Corned Beef, 3% fat (200g; All best before dates from 23.07.2018) due to Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Babease Ltd. recalls Babease Broccoli, Parsnip & Lentils with Onion, Tomato, Quinoa, Fennel, Rapeseed Oil & Herbs baby food (130g; Batch codes 02.06.2019-1, 02.06.2019-2 and 02.06.2019-3; Best before 02.06.2019) due to possible presence of spoilage organisms.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): Stella Food SRL recalls Fior di Loto Organic Coconut Powder (500g; Best before 22-06-2019) due to foreign matter (metal) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): Stella Food SRL recalls Baule Volante Organic Coconut Flour (375g; Best before 05/10/19) due to foreign matter (metal) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Les Supermarchés Auchan recalls Lustucru Lunch box Tortel 4 fromages (360g; various lot codes) due to foreign matter (metal) contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected lot codes.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Sligro recalls various Pinguin brand frozen vegetables due to possible Listeria contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall Update (UK): Greenyard Frozen UK Ltd. recalls Waitrose Essential Supersweet Sweetcorn (E1kg; All batch codes; Best before Aug 2018, Oct 2019, & Nov 2019) and Aldi Frozen Four Seasons Mixed Vegetables (All pack sizes; Products with barcode 25466638 only; All best before dates to Jan 2020) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall (Israel): Mevashlot Bira Benleumiot Ltd. recalls Malty brand Black Malt Beer without alcohol (330ml glass bottles; best by 28.6.2018 and 29.6.2019) due to possible aftertaste.

Food Safety Recall (Israel): Figaro Ronen Importing and Distributing Ltd recalls Frozen Raw Vannamei Shrimps (500g; Best by 24.2.2019; Lot code 5104-28-18; Product of Vietnam) due to veterinary drug (doxycycline) residue.

Food Safety Recall (Singapore): Importers recall Pinguin Frozen mixed vegetables (1kg; Any expiry date up to 03/2020; Country of origin Hungary and other European countries including Belgium and Netherlands) and Pinguin sweet corn kernels (2.5kg; Any expiry date up to 02/2019; Country of origin Hungary and other European countries including Belgium and Netherlands) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Metcash recalls Black and Gold Crumbed Fish Portions (500g; Best Before 27/4/2019 and 06/05/2019; Product of China) due to foreign matter (metal) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Woombye Cheese Company recalls Blackall Gold Washed Rind Cheese (200g; Best Before 10.09.18) due to high E. coli count.