Strain of Salmonella Found in Two Breakfast Cereals
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Two residents of New Hampshire
are among an estimated 23 people who received personal injuries through illness in 14 states due to a strain of salmonella found in two breakfast cereals that
were recalled by a company based out of Minneapolis,
Minnesota.
Unsweetened Puffed Wheat and Puffed Rice cereals were recalled by Malt-O-Meal
on April 5 after salmonella was detected through routine testing.
The product is also sold under private labels, such as Shaw’s and Hannaford
brands. According to state epidemiologist Jose Montero, health department
officials from New Hampshire
did not immediately make the connection after the two residents fell ill. He
said both cases arose before the announcement of the recall.
According to Montero, after the announcement of the recall,
the patients were interviewed again by health department officials, and it was
discovered that both had consumed the cereal.
Consumers and grocery stores have been urged by the Food and Drug
Administration to dispose of the product.
The FDA Web site notes that salmonella is a bacteria which can cause serious,
and sometimes fatal, infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and
those who have weakened immune systems. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting,
fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.
North Carolina law makes sellers of food products liable if the food they sell is not fit for human consumption. If any unhealthy food makes consumers sick, the seller and/or the manufacturer is liable for personal injuries suffered by the consumer.