Consumers must not eat Veggie Booty flavor of snack food, says the FDA. The product, marketed by Robert’s American Gourmet, may be contaminated with the Salmonella Wandsworth bacteria. The product is sold in a plastic foil bag in 4 ounce, 1 ounce and 1.5 ounce packages.

Consumers are urged to throw away all Robert’s American Gourmet brand Veggie Booty. Only this flavor forms part of the FDA warning, all other flavors of snack food marketed by Robert’s American Gourmet do not form part of this warning (they are OK). As the product is very popular with children, the FDA is asking parents to be extra watchful and immediately seek medical care if any signs of illness are observed.

If you have eaten Veggie Booty and experience any symptoms* you should contact your doctor or health care provider immediately. All illnesses associated with this product should be reported to state or local authorities.

Since March 2007 there have been 52 reports of illness related to this product in 17 states across the USA – four of them had to be hospitalized. All the illnesses affected children under the age of ten, the majority of them toddlers. When the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) informed the FDA of these illnesses, the agency carried out an investigation with state and local health officials.

The following states have reported illnesses related to the above-mentioned product:

California – 7 cases
Colorado – 5 cases
Connecticut – 1 case
Georgia – 1 case
Indiana – 1 case
Massachusetts – 3 cases
Minnesota – 2 cases
New Hampshire – 2 cases
New Jersey – 2 cases
New York – 13 cases
Oregon – 1 case
Pennsylvania – 3 cases
Tennessee – 1 case
Texas – 1 case
Vermont – 3 cases
Washington – 4 cases
Wisconsin – 2 cases

*About Salmonella

— Usually causes diarrhea, which may be bloody

— The patient usually experiences abdominal cramps

— In most cases the sufferer also has a fever

— Symptoms become evident from 1 to 4 days after exposure to the bacteria

— Infants (babies) and people with poor health and weakened immune systems can experience the added complication of Salmonella entering their bloodstream and causing life-threatening infections

The FDA reports that Robert’s American Gourmet, of Sea Cliff, New York, and its contract manufacturer, are cooperating fully with FDA’s investigation. The FDA is currently trying to identify the source of the contamination.

— Photo of Robert’s American Gourmet Veggie Booty

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today