"We apologize to our consumers and customers, and we can't emphasize enough our disappointment and deep regret about this situation," said David [image-nocss] Mackay, president and CEO of Kellogg. "The food industry upholds certain operating standards and we are proud that we exceed these standards in our facilities. Events of the last week suggest there was a breach in this supplier's process that is unacceptable to Kellogg, our customers and our consumers."
Mackay continued, "Based on our learnings from this experience and consistent with our 100-year commitment to quality and food safety, Kellogg will evaluate its processes to ensure we take necessary actions to reassure consumers and rebuild confidence in these products."
Kellogg announced a voluntary recall of certain Austin and Keebler branded Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, and select peanut butter cookie snack size packs of Famous Amos Peanut Butter Cookies and Keebler Soft Batch Homestyle Peanut Butter Cookies because the products have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. No other products are involved in this recall.
U.S. health authorities have reported last week that since September, the salmonella food poisoning outbreak hasbeen responsible for the deaths ofat least six people, sickened nearly 500 people in 43 states and hospitalized at least 90 people. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory agencies have indicated that Peanut Corp. of America (PCA) is the focus of an investigation concerning a recent Salmonella outbreak thought to be caused by tainted peanut butter. Lynchburg, Va.-based PCA has issued a voluntary recall of peanut butter produced in its Blakely, Ga., processing facility.
As reported in CSP Daily News, on January 14, Kellogg announced a precautionary hold on the sandwich crackers while health authorities PCA, one of Kellogg's peanut paste suppliers for these crackers. PCA has expanded its earlier recall to include peanut paste and peanut butter, prompting Kellogg to immediately announce this recall and to include the abovementioned cookie and cracker products.
"The actions we are taking today are in keeping with our more than 100-year commitment to providing consumers with safe, high-quality products," said David Mackay, president and CEO of Kellogg Co. "We apologize for this unfortunate situation."
Products impacted by the recall were produced on or after July 1, 2008, including: Austin Quality Foods Cheese Crackers with Peanut Butter, all sizes. Austin Quality Foods Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, all sizes. Austin Quality Foods Mega Stuffed Cheese Crackers with Peanut Butter, all sizes. Austin Quality Foods PB & J Cracker Sandwiches, all sizes. Austin Quality Foods Super Snack Pack Sandwich Crackers. Austin Quality Foods Chocolate Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, all sizes. Austin Quality Foods Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter, all sizes. Austin Quality Foods Reduced Fat Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers. Austin Quality Foods Reduced Fat Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers. Austin Quality Foods Cookie/Cracker Pack. Austin Quality Foods Variety Pack. Keebler Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, all sizes. Keebler Toast & PB'n J Flavored Sandwich Crackers, all sizes. Keebler Toast & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, all sizes. Famous Amos Peanut Butter Cookies (2-oz. and 3-oz.). Keebler Soft Batch Homestyle Peanut Butter Cookies (2.5-oz). The company urged consumers who purchased the recalled products to destroy them, and said consumers with questions or who would like a refund could contact the Kellogg Consumer Response Center, and urged consumers with questions or concerns about their health to contact their doctor.
Battle Creek, Mich.-based Kellogg Co. is the world's leading producer of cereal and a leading producer of convenience foods, including cookies, crackers, toaster pastries, cereal bars, frozen waffles, and meat alternatives. The company's brands include Kellogg's, Keebler, Pop-Tarts, Eggo, Cheez-It, Club, Nutri-Grain, Rice Krispies, Special K, All-Bran, Mini-Wheats, Morningstar Farms, Famous Amos, Ready Crust and Kashi.Separately, Collegedale, Tenn.-based snack maker McKee Foods Corp. has announced a voluntary recall of two varieties of peanut butter sandwich crackers because the products have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. The two sandwich crackers are Little Debbie Peanut Butter Toasty sandwich crackers, all sizes, and Little Debbie Peanut Butter Cheese sandwich crackers, all sizes. No other Little Debbie products are involved in this recall.
Click herefor the FDA's webpage on the outbreak.
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.