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Popular Kellogg's Cereal Recalled Nationwide After Multiple Hospitalizations

VOA

International cereal brand Kellogg's recently issued a voluntary recall for their Honey Smacks variety within a certain "best by" date range after they were linked to a Salmonella Mbandaka outbreak.

At the time, 15.3 oz. and 23.0 oz. boxes dated between June 14, 2018 and June 14, 2019 were the only ones involved in the recall.

However, a few days later, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as well as the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention have followed up the company's announcement with a serious warning against consuming the cereal.

Wtop.com

"The FDA is advising consumers to not eat and to discard any Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal," reads a statement on the government agency's website.

"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."

As many as 73 illnesses across 31 states are believed to have been caused by the contaminated cereal. So far, no deaths have been reported, but according to the CDC, there have been 24 hospitalizations.

Newsweek

The CDC and Kellogg's are urging people to throw out or return all boxes of Honey Smacks regardless of purchase or "best before" dates because reports of Salmonella started appearing in early March.

If you have gotten sick from eating the recalled cereal, the CDC advises that you "contact a healthcare provider" immediately.

The FDA confirmed that this is an "ongoing investigation" and will provide updates "as more information becomes available, such as product information, epidemiological results, and recalls."

CNN/CDC

Salmonella causes about 1.2 million illnesses, 23,000 hospitalizations, and 450 deaths in the U.S. annually, reports the CDC.

Symptoms of salmonellosis include diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal cramps. These signs tend to appear within 12 to 72 hours of consuming food tainted by the Salmonella bacteria.

Do you have Honey Smacks cereal at home?

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