Salmonella Risk Prompts Easter Candy Recall

Title: Salmonella Risk Prompts Easter Candy Recall
Category: Health News
Created: 3/2/2013 11:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 3/4/2013 12:00:00 AM

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Salmonella Risk Prompts Easter Candy Recall

March 1, 2013 -- A candy company is recalling some chocolate-covered marshmallow eggs because of possible salmonella contamination.

Zachary Confections, Inc., says its Zachary Chocolate-Covered Marshmallow Eggs should be thrown out or returned to the store.

The affected candy was shipped to stores in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Look for this information on the side panel of the product packaging next to the Unit UPC bar code label:

Zachary Chocolate-Covered Marshmallow Egg Crates in a white, 5-ounce packageUnit UPC code: 0 75186 15797 8Code dates: D3245D; D3145E; F3145E; D3245EBest Buy Date: 02/14/14

Zachary says the candy is possibly contaminated with salmonella, but it doesn't say how that might have happened. The bacteria was found during routine testing. Production is on hold until the FDA and the company finds the source.

No one has reported getting sick from the chocolate-covered marshmallow eggs. An infection caused by salmonella can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever, and headache.

Get more details from the FDA.

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Salmonella Fears Spur Major Recall of Pet Treats

Title: Salmonella Fears Spur Major Recall of Pet Treats
Category: Health News
Created: 2/21/2013 2:36:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 2/22/2013 12:00:00 AM

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Salmonella Fears Spur Major Recall of Pet Treats

By Robert Preidt

HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, Feb. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Boots & Barkley, Colorado Naturals and Nature's Deli are among the many pet treat brands being recalled by an American company due to possible salmonella contamination, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday.

Kasel Associates Industries Inc. is recalling all pet treats it manufactured between April 20 and Sept. 19, 2012. The company has issued three previous recall notices for specific products produced during this time period.

The action comes after the Colorado Department of Agriculture tested a sample of a Kasel pet treat product from a store and found it to be positive for salmonella. A follow-up FDA inspection at the company found that all of the finished pet treat product samples and 48 out of 87 environmental samples from the manufacturing facility tested positive for salmonella.

More than 10 different types of salmonella were found in the company's treats and the production plant, indicating multiple sources of contamination, the FDA said in an agency news release.

The pet treats made by Kasel are sold at various retailers, including Target, Petco, Sam's Club and Costco. Most of the products have a two-year shelf life.

There have not been any reports of human illness associated with the pet treats, but there have been complaints of illnesses in dogs who ate the treats, according to the agency.

Both people and animals can contract salmonella from handling or eating contaminated products. After handling dry pet treats, people should thoroughly wash their hands as well as any surfaces touched by the products, the FDA said.

Consumers who have the recalled products, or who are unsure of the manufacturing date of their pet treats, should dispose of them safely by placing them in a securely lidded garbage can.

The recall is not related to the FDA's ongoing investigation of jerky pet treats made in China.

Symptoms of salmonella infection in pets include lethargy, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, vomiting, decreased appetite and abdominal pain. Pets who have eaten the recalled treats and are experiencing any of these symptoms should be taken to a veterinarian, the FDA advised.

The agency also noted that infected, but otherwise healthy pets, can be carriers and infect other animals or people.

Symptoms of salmonella infection in people can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever. People who develop these symptoms after handling the recalled pet treats should see their doctor, the FDA said.

More information

Here's where you can find a complete list of the recalled pet treats.

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Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Foster Farms Chicken

Feb. 15, 2013 -- The CDC is investigating an outbreak of salmonella linked to raw Foster Farms chicken that has sickened 124 people in 12 states.

No deaths have been reported.

Most of the people infected with the illness, salmonella Heidelberg, live in Washington state and Oregon.  The illnesses were reported from June 4, 2012, to Jan. 6 of this year. More than half of those who came down with the food-borne illness were female, and 31 were hospitalized.

Foster Farms says in a statement that it is not recalling any products. “It is widely known that all raw chicken must be responsibly handled and properly prepared to ensure safety and quality,” the statement says.

The company says consumers should cook raw chicken to 165 degrees and avoid preparing other food on surfaces touched by raw chicken to prevent cross-contamination.

Symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. It usually lasts about 4 to 7 days, and most people get better without treatment. Babies, older adults, and people with weak immune systems are most vulnerable.

The CDC is working with the USDA and public health officials from a number of states on the investigation.

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