Honey Smacks Recalled After Salmonella Outbreak Hits Illinois

At least one person has been sickened in Illinois and a popular breakfast cereal has been recalled because of salmonella concerns, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Kellogg’s is recalling Honey Smacks cereal in 31 states, including Illinois, because the popular breakfast food is now linked to a salmonella outbreak that has sickened 73 people, according to the CDC. Twenty-four people have been hospitalized.

Illnesses began in early March and have been reported through late May. The hardest-hit state is New York, with 7 people falling ill after eating the cereal.

"Do not eat recalled Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal," the CDC warned. "Check your home for it and throw it away, or return it to the place of purchase for a refund."

Consuming products contaminated with salmonella can result in serious illness, health experts warn. It can also produce serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems.

Healthy individuals infected with salmonella can suffer fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, it can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.

The Kellogg Company announced the recall on Thursday. The recall covers 15.3 oz. and 23 oz. packages of Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal with a “best if used by” date from June 14, 2018 through June 14, 2019. The “best if used by” date is on the box top.

The recalled 15.3 oz. Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal has a UPC code of 38000 39103. The recalled 23.0 oz. Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal has a UPC code of 38000 14810. The UPC code is on the bottom of the box.

"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," the CDC warned.

If you store cereal in a container and have discarded the packaging with the codes, just throw away any Honey Smacks cereal, the CDC advised.

Be sure to thoroughly wash the container "to remove harmful germs."

The cereal looks like this:

The packaging looks like this:

"In interviews, ill people answered questions about the foods they ate and other exposures in the week before they became ill. Thirty of 39 people interviewed reported eating cold cereal. In interviews, 14 people specifically reported eating Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal," information from the CDC said.

With reporting by Kara Seymour

Image via CDC