CDC Warns: Do Not Eat Kellogg’s Honey Smacks Cereal

The CDC has issued a stern warning after a popular kid's breakfast cereal has been linked to an outbreak that has sickened over 100 people.

Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal has been linked to a multi-state outbreak of salmonella. The outbreak has sickened 100 people in 33 states - 30 have been hospitalized; the majority of those cases have been in New York State.

The Centers for Disease Control warns:  

• Do not eat recalled Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal in any size packaging.

• Check your home for the recalled cereal and throw it away, or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
• Even if some of the cereal was eaten and no one got sick, throw the rest of it away or return it for a refund.
• If you store cereal that looks like Kellogg’s Honey Smacks in another container without the packaging and don’t remember the brand or type, throw it away.
• Kellogg’s Honey Smacks is a sweetened puffed wheat cereal.
• Thoroughly wash the container with warm, soapy water before using it again, to remove harmful germs that could contaminate other food.

What are the signs and symptoms of Salmonella infection?

Most people infected with Salmonella develop symptoms 12 to 72 hours after being exposed to the bacteria, including diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.

The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.
In some people, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other places in the body.

In rare cases, Salmonella infection can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.

Children younger than 5 years of age, adults older than 65 years of age, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to experience severe symptoms.