The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says some grocery stores are still selling Honey Smacks despite the cereal having been recalled last month after it was linked to a salmonella outbreak across the country.
In June, an estimated 1.3 million cases of Honey Smacks were pulled from shelves as part of a massive voluntary recall issued by the Kellogg Company itself to stop the spread of salmonella.
The FDA said it would follow up with retailers to ensure the product is cleared from stores, as selling it is now illegal. The agency also advised consumers not to purchase Honey Smacks.
Honey Smacks Salmonella Outbreak
The cereal's links to salmonella first surfaced this past May, when the FDA said it first learned about a number of sudden illnesses linked to salmonella occurring in various states. After investigating the situation, the FDA concluded the outbreak was linked to Honey Smacks, one of Kellogg's cereal products. On June 14, Kellogg confirmed that it was going to recall the product off shelves not only in the United States but also in international markets.
There have been 100 cases of people falling ill due to salmonella, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, with 33 states in total affected. Thirty people have had hospitalizations because of the outbreak. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported thus far.
Despite those alarming numbers, the FDA revealed that some retailers are still selling the cereal.
"Retailers cannot legally offer the cereal for sale and consumers should not purchase Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal," the agency said.
How To Spot Salmonella-Infected Honey Smacks
For those who see Honey Smacks on the shelves of their local retailer, make sure it's not from the batch that may be contaminated with salmonella. The recalled product comes in two variants: 15.3 ounces and 23 ounces. Both have a "best if used" date of June 14, 2018, through June 14, 2019.
How To Determine If You Have Salmonella
Also keep an eye out for symptoms of Salmonella, especially for those who are still eating the cereal and aren't aware of the outbreak. The FDA says those infected often develop diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. It usually lasts up to seven days, and most people recover without treatment. However, some cases of diarrhea become so severe as to require being hospitalized.
Salmonella causes 1.2 million illnesses, 23 hospitalizations, and 450 deaths in the United States every year, according to the CDC.
