Malt-O-Meal & several private label brands of puffed rice & puffed wheat cereals

[notyard]

U.S. FDA recall press release on puffed rice and puffed wheat cereals made by Malt-O-Meal and packaged under the Malt-O-Meal brand and several private store label brands for Salmonella. The company's webpage includes a chart listing items recalled, photos of the products, and their own press release, so I will post Malt-O-Meal's info in a second post to this thread.

Recall -- Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Malt-O-Meal Company Initiates Voluntary Recall of Unsweetened Puffed Rice and unsweetened Puffed Wheat Cereals Due to Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Malt-O-Meal Consumer Affairs
877-665-9331

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Minneapolis, MN -- April 5, 2008 -- Malt-O-Meal announced today that it is 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 www.malt-o-meal.com/recallinfo.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this situation. All other Malt-O-Meal products are 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.

"Our first and highest priority is the safety of the consumers who use our products," said Malt-O-Meal President and CEO Chris Neugent. "It's important that we spread the word about this situation quickly and broadly in order to remove even the slightest possibility that someone will consume something harmful. 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. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, persons infected with Salmonella may experience 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.

[notyard]

Malt-O-Meal's press release, photos, and link to very detailed chart of products/labels/UPC's of recalled cereals:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 5, 2008
PARA ESPANOL
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 Initiates Voluntary Recall of Unsweetened Puffed Rice
and unsweetened Puffed Wheat Cereals Due to Possible Health Risk

Minneapolis – (April 5) – Malt-O-Meal announced today that it is 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 www.malt-o-meal.com/recallinfo.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this situation. All other Malt-O-Meal products are 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.

“Our first and highest priority is the safety of the consumers who use our products,” said Malt-O-Meal President and CEO Chris Neugent. “It’s important that we spread the word about this situation quickly and broadly in order to remove even the slightest possibility that someone will consume something harmful. 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. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, persons infected with Salmonella may experience 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.

Malt-O-Meal Label Photo links:

Private Label Brands Photo links:

[Motherofthree]

WOW! Thanks Judy for this info!

[bunny]

thank you for the heads up. What is going on with all the recalled food ?

[notyard]

CDC report on Malt-O-Meal salmonella recall--more info than we heard before. Twenty-one consumers sickened with the same strain of Salmonella agona identified across thirteen states. The strain of Salmonella agona bacteria sickening those 21 people matches the bacteria strain found in the Malt-O-Meal plant. All of those sickened consumed Malt-O-Meal puffed rice or puffed wheat.

Investigation of Outbreak of Infections Caused by Salmonella Agona

Persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Agona, United States, by state, January 1 to April 11, 2008. (N=21)

Click map to view a larger image.

Information as of April 11, 2008

Click Here for Advice to Consumers

CDC is collaborating with public health officials in multiple states across the United States and with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Agona infections. An investigation that includes interviews of persons with Salmonella Agona infections and comparison of the DNA fingerprints suggests that cereal from Malt-O-Meal unsweetened Puffed Rice Cereals and unsweetened Puffed Wheat Cereals is likely related to these illnesses.

As of April 11, 2008, state and city health departments from 13 states identified 21 ill persons infected with Salmonella Agona with the same genetic fingerprint. Ill persons with the outbreak strain have been reported from California (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). Illness onset dates, which are known for 9 patients, ranged from January 22 to March 2, 2008. Their ages range from 1 to 95 years; 62% are female. Three hospitalizations and no deaths have been reported.

Investigation of the Outbreak

On April 5, 2008 Malt-O-Meal Company initiated a recall after the company's routine food testing detected the presence of Salmonella on March 24, 2008 in a Minnesota plant that produces and packages dry cereals. Malt-O-Meal issued a recall of unsweetened Puffed Rice Cereals and unsweetened Puffed Wheat Cereals produced during the past 12 months at the plant in Minnesota. The recall products have "Best If Used By" dates of April 8, 2008 to March 18, 2009. On April 7, 2008, PulseNet, the molecular subtyping network for foodborne disease surveillance, notified CDC's OutbreakNet Team of a cluster of human Salmonella Agona isolates with an indistinguishable PFGE pattern (outbreak pattern) in multiple states. On April 10, 2008, CDC was informed by several state health departments that patients infected with Salmonella Agona with the outbreak pattern had eaten Malt-O-Meal cereal products. On April 11, the Minnesota State Public Health Department confirmed that the Salmonella isolate isolated from the Minnesota plant was Salmonella Agona and had the same indistinguishable PFGE pattern as the isolates from ill humans. CDC, multiple state health departments, and FDA are working collaboratively to identify additional cases and determine the source and factors that contribute to this outbreak. Information about this recall can be found at http://www.malt-o-meal.com/recallinfo/.

Clinical features

Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12–72 hours after infection. Infection is usually diagnosed by culture of a stool sample. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Although most people recover without treatment, severe infections may occur. Infants, elderly persons, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely than others to develop severe illness. When severe infection occurs, Salmonella may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites, and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.

Advice to consumers

Recalled Malt-O-Meal products may still be in grocery stores and in consumers' homes. Consumers who have unsweetened Puffed Rice and unsweetened Puffed Wheat cereals should check the "Best If Used By" dates printed on the product. Any cereals with a "Best If Used By" date of April 8, 2008 to March 29, 2009 should not consume the product.

Consumers should contact local health departments and indicate that they have a recalled product.

[notyard]

FDA report of CDC findings posted last night:

FDA News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2008
Media Inquiries:
Michael Herndon, 301-827-6242
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA


Salmonella Illnesses in Multiple States may be Linked to Recently Recalled Cereal

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced that at least 23 people in 14 states have been diagnosed with salmonellosis that was caused by the same strain of Salmonella that was found in the recently recalled unsweetened Puffed Rice and unsweetened Puffed Wheat Cereals produced by Malt-O-Meal.

The recalled products were distributed nationally under the Malt-O-Meal brand name as well as under private label brands including Acme, America's Choice, Food Club, Giant, Hannaford, Jewel, Laura Lynn, Pathmark, Shaw's, ShopRite, Tops and Weis Quality. The cereals have "Best If Used By" dates from April 8, 2008 (coded as "APR0808") through March 18, 2009 (coded as "MAR1809").

Consumers should throw out any product in their homes from these recalled lots. Grocery stores and other retailers should promptly remove the cereals from their shelves.

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of foodborne Salmonella infection include nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. In persons with poor health or weakened immune systems, Salmonella can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections.

Individuals who believe they may have experienced an illness consistent with the symptoms described above after consuming a puffed wheat or puffed rice cereal made by Malt-O-Meal should contact their health care practitioner immediately and report the illness to their state or local health authorities.

On April 5, 2008, Malt-O-Meal voluntarily recalled the cereals because the company’s routine testing found Salmonella in a product produced on March 24, 2008.

The FDA is working with Malt-O-Meal to determine the cause of the contamination and with the states and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to identify and prevent additional illnesses.
A full list of recalled products can be found at www.malt-o-meal.com/recallinfo.

[notyard]

And this recall is still in process--almost a quarter million cases of product to recall! :

PRODUCT
a) Puffed Wheat cereal. Ingredients: Wheat, Ferric ortho-phosphate (iron),
Niacin (niacinamide), vitamin B1 (thiamin mononitrate), vitamin B2 (riboflavin).
Packaged under the following labels:
1) Malt-O-Meal, Net Wt 6 oz UPC 042400002208, 12 oz UPC 042400200208, and
16 oz UPC 042400002611. Made in U.S.A.;
2) ACME, Net Wt. 6 oz UPC 075090877825;
3) America's Choice, Net Wt 6 oz UPC 754807414897;
4) Food Club, Net Wt 6 oz UPC 036800318533;
5) Giant, Net Wt 6 oz UPC 688267026911;
6) Hannaford, Net Wt 6 oz UPC 041268108435;
7) Jewel, Net Wt 6 oz UPC 041280054697;
8) Laura Lynn, Net Wt 6 oz UPC 086854006221;
9) Pathmark, Net Wt 6 oz UPC 041240124903- Made in USA.;
10) Shaw's, Net Wt 6 oz UPC 045674132282;
11) Shop Rite, Net Wt 6 oz UPC 041190009749. Made in U.S.A.;
12) Tops, Net Wt 6 oz UPC 688267026911;
13) Weis, Net Wt 6 oz UPC 041497529148, Recall # F-498-8;
b) Puffed Rice cereal. Ingredients: Rice, Ferric orthophosphate (iron), Niacin (niacinamide),
vitamin B1 (thiamin mononitrate), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), wheat starch.
Packaged under the following labels:
1) Malt-O-Meal, Net Wt 6 oz UPC 042400002406, 12 oz UPC 042400200215,
and 16 oz UPC 042400002703. Made in U.S.A.;
2) ACME, Net Wt. 6 oz UPC 075090877832;
3) Food Club, Net Wt 6 oz UPC 036800318526;
4) Giant, Net Wt 6 oz UPC 688267026904;
5) Hannaford, Net Wt 6 oz UPC 041268108442;
6) Jewel, Net Wt 6 oz UPC 041280054680;
7) Laura Lynn, Net Wt 6 oz UPC 086854006238;
8) Pathmark, Net Wt 6 oz UPC 041240124910- Made in USA;
9) Shaw's, Net Wt 6 oz UPC 045674132190;
10) Shop Rite, Net Wt 6 oz UPC 041190009756. Made in U.S.A.;
11) Tops, Net Wt 6 oz UPC 688267026904;
12) Weis, Net Wt 6 oz UPC 041497529162, Recall # F-499-8
CODE
All lot codes with "Best if Used By" dates between APR0808 (April 8, 2008) and MAR1809 (March 18, 2009).
RECALLING FIRM/MANUFACTURER
Malt O Meal Company, Northfield, MN, by press release and e-mail beginning on April 5, 2008. Firm initiated recall is ongoing.
REASON
Products have been associated with an outbreak of Salmonella Agona infections.
VOLUME OF PRODUCT IN COMMERCE
248,809 cases
DISTRIBUTION
Nationwide