Don't Eat Honey Smacks, CDC Says As Salmonella Outbreak Spreads

NEW YORK, NY – A Salmonella outbreak linked to the breakfast cereal Honey Smacks has got so bad federal health officials are now warning the public not to eat the product at all, regardless of the best-by date or packaging size.

The CDC announced the recall of Kellogg’s Honey Smacks in June, but this week said 100 people nationwide have now become ill. "Do not eat this cereal," the CDC tweeted.

The outbreak has now sickened people in 33 states, according to CDC data. The most infections have so far been reported in New York, where 11 people have fallen ill. There is no more specific information about where in the state the infections occurred.

Thirty people have been hospitalized due to the illness. There have been no deaths as of July 13, according to information from the CDC.

Other states impacted by the outbreak include California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Texas and beyond.

Retailers should not be selling or serving the cereal, and the CDC warns any trace of the product should be tossed. "Even if some of the cereal has been eaten and no one got sick, throw the rest of it away or return it for a refund," the CDC said.

Any reusable containers that may have once held the cereal should be thoroughly washed with soapy water to "remove harmful germs."

The cereal looks like this:

The packaging looks like this:

Illnesses began in early March and have been reported through July 2, the CDC said. Some illnesses may not yet be reflected in the data.

In June, when the recall was announced, the CDC had determined the breakfast cereal was linked to the outbreak after a series of interviews with infected people.

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.

Images via CDC