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RECALL UPDATE: Kellogg's recalled Honey Smacks still found on NC shelves with 4 NC salmonella cases

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has issued a warning about the Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal recall that began in June 2018. ALL Honey Smacks cereal products were recalled due to the presence of Salmonella, but it is still being found on grocery store shelves in North Carolina.

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Kellogg's Honey Smacks (photo courtesy FDA.gov)

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has issued a warning about the Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal recall that began in June 2018. ALL Honey Smacks cereal products were recalled due to the presence of Salmonella, but it is still being found on grocery store shelves in North Carolina.

The multistate outbreak of Salmonella Mbandaka has spanned 33 states with more than 101 cases of infections. At least four of those infections are in North Carolina.

According to a notice released on July 27, 2018 by Joe Reardon, Assistant Commissioner of Regulatory Programs for the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, “We are concerned we continue to find this product offered for sale. The product was originally recalled by Kellogg’s in June. This week our Rapid Response Team activated and inspectors have found the product at one out of every 10 grocery stores during routine recall-effectiveness checks. We are urging consumers to NOT purchase or consume this product. Inspectors have placed stop sales on products found in grocery stores. However there may be more out there and we are continuing to check.”

The FDA has issued a statement that retailers cannot legally offer the cereal for sale and should throw out 15.3-ounce and 23-ounce boxes.

In mid-July, the CDC issued a serious reminder to consumers tweeting, "Do not eat this cereal."

Updated FDA recall information as of July 12, 2018:

Consumers should not eat any Honey Smacks cereal.

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.

See all the details on the FDA website.

Original FDA Recall Notice in June 2018:

Kellogg Company today announced it is voluntarily recalling packages of Kellogg’s ® Honey Smacks ® cereal (with code dates listed below) because these products have the potential presence of Salmonella. No other Kellogg products are impacted by this recall.

Kellogg launched an investigation with the third-party manufacturer who produces Honey Smacks immediately after being contacted by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding reported illnesses.

According to the CDC, use or consumption of products contaminated with Salmonella may result in serious illness. It can also produce serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals infected with Salmonella can experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most persons recover without treatment. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses.

Kellogg is asking that people who purchased potentially affected product discard it and contact the company for a full refund. Consumers seeking more information, including images of these products, can visit kelloggs.com/honeysmacksrecall or call 1-800-962-1413 from Monday – Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET as well as Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET.

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