Malt-O-Meal Recalled Cereal Salmonellosis Link

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Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Also Included In: GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology;  Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses;  Public Health
Article Date: 14 Apr 2008 - 11:00 PDT

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According to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) 23 people spanning 14 US states have come down with salmonellosis caused by the same Salmonella strain as that found in the recently recalled Mat-O-Meal Puffed Rice and Puffed Wheat Cereals (both unsweetened).

Both products were distributed across the USA under the following brand names -

-- Malt-O-Meal
The following are private brand names
-- Acme
-- America's Choice
-- Food Club
-- Giant
-- Hannaford
-- Jewel
-- Laura Lynn
-- Pathmark
-- Shaw's
-- ShopRite
-- Tops
-- Weis Quality

If you come across any of these recalled products you should throw them out, says the FDA. Retail outlets should remove these products from their shelves immediately.

What is salmonella?

Salmonella is a group of bacteria that can cause diarrheal illness in people. They are living creatures which pass from the feces of animals or people to other animals or people. In the USA the most common types are salmonella serotype Typhimurium and salmonella serotype Enteritidis.

Who discovered salmonella?

Salmonella is named after Daniel Elmer Salmon (1850-1914), an American scientist. Although he claimed the credit for discovering the bacteria, his colleague, Theobald Smith actually discovered it.

What is Salmonellosis?

This is an infection with the salmonella bacteria. Most infected people develop fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Symptoms usually appear 12-72 hours after infection. The illness, which usually lasts from 4 to seven days, generally does not require treatment - the patient will usually recover on his/her own.

However, if the diarrhea is severe the patient may need to be hospitalized. Salmonellosis can be very dangerous if the infection spreads into the blood stream and other body sites. Those most likely to experience severe illness are the elderly, babies and people with weakened immune systems.

If you are ill

If you think you may have experienced an illness consistent with the symptoms described above after eating puffed wheat or puffed rice made by Malt-O-Meal you should get in touch with a health care professional immediately and report the illness to you state or local health authority.

Malt-O-Meal recalled the said cereals on April 5th after a routine test found salmonella in one of the products produced on March 24th this year.

The FDA says it is working closely with Malt-O-Meal to find out what caused the contamination. The FDA added it is working with states and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) to identify and prevent further illnesses.

-- Click here for a list of the recalled products.

Written by - Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today