KANSAS CITY, Mo. and SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- The holidays were less than sweet for a couple of companies that have announced recalls of some confectionery products due to a threat of salmonella.
Both companies—Hostess Brands LLC and Palmer Candy Co.—reported that the milk-powder ingredient in the recalled products was sourced from Valley Milk Products LLC. Due to a concern of salmonella contamination, Strasburg, Va.-based Valley Milk recalled all of its nonfat milk powder and sweet cream buttermilk powder produced between Dec. 10, 2015, and July 5, 2016, in 50-pound bags.
No illnesses have been reported.
Hostess Brands
Hostess Brands, based in Kansas City, Mo., recalled its limited-edition Holiday White Peppermint Hostess Twinkies. The company said this is the only Twinkies product being recalled. The action follows a recall by Chicago-based Blommer Chocolate Co. of the coating used on the Holiday White Peppermint Hostess Twinkies product. Valley Milk, based in Strasburg, Va., supplied the milk-powder ingredients found in the confectionery coating.
Hostess said none of the product sampled has tested positive for salmonella but it is initiating the voluntary recall as a precaution. The White Peppermint Hostess Twinkies (UPC 888109111571), were sold only in multipack boxes (nine individually wrapped cakes in a box) to convenience stores, mass merchandisers, grocery stores, distributors, dollar and discount stores throughout the United States.
Palmer Candy
Likewise, Sioux City, Iowa-based Palmer Candy has recalled more than a dozen of its holiday products based on the same Valley Milk recall. The company posted photos of the recalled products on its website.
Consumers are urged to discontinue consumption and return products to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.
Hostess Brands operates bakeries in Emporia, Kan., Columbus, Ga., and Indianapolis.
Palmer Candy Co., a privately held, fifth-generation manufacturer of chocolate and holiday confections, is based in Sioux City, Iowa.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.