Kellogg recalls Honey Smacks cereal after Salmonella sickens dozens

Kellogg Co. is recalling some 15.3 oz. and 23 oz. packages of its Honey Smacks cereal because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The recall is based on preliminary evidence linking the cereal to more than 73 illnesses in 31 states. Twenty-four people, from age 1 to 87, have been hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No deaths have been reported.

Kellogg launched an investigation with a third-party manufacturer who produces Honey Smacks after being contacted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about reported illnesses.

How to identify the recalled product

The recalled cereals include the following varieties distributed throughout the United States as well as limited distribution in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, the Caribbean, Guam, Tahiti, and Saipan. The BEST if Used By Date is located on the top of the cereal box, and the UPC code is on the bottom.

Eating products contaminated with Salmonella may result in serious illness, according to the CDC. 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 may experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most persons recover without treatment. Rarely, 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 contaminated cereal discard it and contact the company for a refund.

For more information, including images of the recalled cereal, visit kelloggs.com/honeysmacksrecall or call 800-962-1413 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.

For details on other recalls, see www.recalls.gov.