The producer of Ritz Cracker products has decided to issue a voluntary recall in the United States over potential salmonella contamination.
Whey Powder Ingredient Recalled For Possible Salmonella Contamination
Mondelēz Global LLC, the company that makes Ritz products, announced on Saturday that it is recalling snacks that contain whey powder, as an ingredient and the company's supplier happened to be concerned that it is tainted with salmonella.
"Mondelēz Global LLC announced today a voluntary recall in the United States, including Puerto Rico & the U.S. Virgin Islands, of certain Ritz Cracker Sandwiches and Ritz Bits product," the company said in a statement issued on July 21. "These products contain whey powder as an ingredient, which the whey powder supplier has recalled due to the potential presence of Salmonella."
Products affected by the recall include Ritz Bits Cheese Cracker Sandwiches in different packaging, Ritz Everything Crackers, Ritz Cheese Cracker Sandwiches, and Ritz Bacon Cracker Sandwiches with Cheese Filling.
The company said that there has so far been no report of any illness linked to consumption of its products, but it nonetheless issued to recall as a precaution. Consumers who purchased the products were advised not eat them and discard them.
Salmonella
Salmonella can cause serious and even potentially deadly infections particularly in people with weakened immune systems, as well as young children and elderly people. Healthy individuals who were infected by the microorganism may also suffer from fever, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that salmonella causes about 1.2 million illnesses in the United States every year. The infection leads to 23,000 hospitalization and 450 deaths per year. Food is the main culprit for these illnesses.
The illness could become more serious if the organisms gets into the bloodstream, where it can result in more serious illnesses such as arthritis, arterial infections, and endocarditis.
People infected with salmonella may show symptoms between 12 and 72 hours after infection. Most people recover within 4 to 7 days and without need for treatment. Some, however, may experience severe diarrhea, which calls for the patient to be hospitalized.
"People with diarrhea due to a Salmonella infection usually recover completely, although it may be several months before their bowel habits are entirely normal," the CDC said. "A small number of people with Salmonella develop pain in their joints. This is called reactive arthritis."
Consumption and handling of eggs, as well as chicken and turkey products, have also been linked to salmonella infections.
