Salmonella outbreak linked to popular cereal spreads To 33 U.S. States

LOS ANGELES, July 14 (Bernama) -- A salmonella outbreak linked to Kellogg's popular Honey Smacks cereal has infected 100 people in 33 states, US government agencies announced this week, urging consumers to avoid the sweetened puffed wheat cereal.


"Do not eat this cereal," the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) tweeted on Friday, Xinhua news agency reported.


The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Thursday that at least 30 of the 100 have been hospitalised, while no deaths have been reported.


"Do not eat recalled Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal in any size packaging," the agency wrote.


The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urged consumers to avoid eating and retailers to not sell Kellogg's cereal because of the chance of salmonella contamination.


The FDA said it has learned that some retailers are still selling this product although a voluntary recall was made by Kellogg since mid-June.


According to the CDC, consuming products contaminated with salmonella may result in serious illness.


Symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhoea, fever and abdominal cramps and typically occur 12 to 72 hours after exposure to the bacteria.


-- BERNAMA