Malt-O-Meal Company Initiates Voluntary Recall of Unsweetened
Puffed Rice and unsweetened Puffed Wheat Cereals Due to Possible Health
Risk
Contact:
Malt-O-Meal Consumer Affairs
877-665-9331
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Minneapolis, MN -- April 5, 2008
-- Malt-O-Meal announced today that it is voluntarily recalling its unsweetened
Puffed Rice and unsweetened Puffed Wheat Cereals produced with "Best
If Used By" codes
between April 8, 2008 (coded as "APR0808") and March 18, 2009
(coded as "MAR1809") because they may have the potential to be
contaminated with Salmonella.
The recalled product was distributed nationally, marketed under the Malt-O-Meal
brand and as some private label brands including Acme, America's Choice, Food
Club, Giant, Hannaford, Jewel, Laura Lynn, Pathmark, Shaw's, ShopRite,
Tops and Weis Quality. A comprehensive listing of impacted products can
be found at www.malt-o-meal.com/recallinfo.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this situation. All
other Malt-O-Meal products are unaffected by this action and are safe for continued
sale and consumption. The products affected by this recall represent
less than one-half of one percent of the company's annual production
of ready-to-eat cereal.
"Our first and highest priority is the safety of the consumers who use
our products," said Malt-O-Meal President and CEO Chris Neugent. "It's
important that we spread the word about this situation quickly and broadly
in order to remove even the slightest possibility that someone will consume
something harmful. We apologize for this situation and promise to do
everything to complete the recall as quickly as possible."
The recall was initiated after the company's internal routine food safety
testing detected the presence of Salmonella in a product produced on March
24, 2008. The company immediately commenced an investigation to determine
the root cause of this one positive finding as well as the extent of any possible
exposure. Initial results from this follow-up investigation indicate that additional
product may have been exposed to this contaminant. Thus, out of an abundance
of caution to protect consumers, the company has chosen to voluntarily remove
all unsweetened Puffed Rice and unsweetened Puffed Wheat products with "Best
If Used By" codes between April 8, 2008 (coded as "APR0808")
and March 18, 2009 (coded as "MAR1809"). Investigation into
the source of the Salmonella has determined a root cause of this situation
and corrective measures have been taken to ensure that there is no reoccurrence
of this issue.
Persons infected with Salmonella may experience a variety of symptoms and
illnesses. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, persons infected
with Salmonella may experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal
pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in more severe
illnesses, some potentially life threatening.
Consumers who have purchased any products covered by this recall are urged
to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions
may contact the company at
1-877-665-9331. Information regarding this recall, including images
of the Malt-O-Meal product packaging, also will be posted to the company's
website at www.malt-o-meal.com/recallinfo.
