The Quaker Oats company announced the recall of 24 more products after recalling dozens of cereals, granola bars and snacks last month due to possible contamination with salmonella bacteria.
The products recalled Thursday include several flavors of Cap’n Crunch and Oatmeal Squares cereal, as well as additional types of Chewy granola bars, some Gatorade protein bars and more.
In total, more than 60 Quaker products have been recalled since December 15, due to salmonella concerns. Many of the items are sold in various sizes or types of packaging.
The December recall included some lots of Quaker Chewy granola bars, Quaker granola cereals, and snack boxes containing those products. The latest recall adds more Quaker Chewy bars and cereals to the list, as well as Gamesa Marias cereal, Munchies Munch Mix, Gatorade and Cap’n Crunch bars, cereals and instant oatmeal.
In an alert posted Thursday on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website, Quaker said consumers should throw away any products that have been recalled, which are sold throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and Saipan. The company offers refunds: its product packaging typically includes a SmartLabel that allows consumers to scan a QR code to determine if a product has been recalled.
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As of December 15, Quaker reported that it had not confirmed any illnesses related to the recalled products. The company has not said publicly whether any illnesses have been reported since then, and Quaker did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The recall Does not include Quaker oatmeal, instant oatmealsemolina, oat bran, oat flour, or rice snacks.
While foodborne illnesses are difficult to track, salmonella most likely causes more illnesses than any other bacteria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency estimates that there are more than 1 million foodborne cases of salmonella in the United States each year.
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Earlier this month, the CDC announced that 24 people had become ill with salmonella after consuming ready-to-eat deli meats. And since October, more than 300 salmonella cases and nearly 130 hospitalizations have been linked to melons. Currently, the CDC recommends people not eat pre-cut cantaloupe unless they can be sure it comes from a brand other than Malichita or Rudy.
Salmonella usually causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps between six hours and six days after eating a contaminated product. Some people may also develop nausea, vomiting, or headache. These symptoms usually resolve within four to seven days without antibiotics.
However, the infection can be more serious (and sometimes fatal) in children under 5 years of age, adults 65 years of age or older, and people with weakened immune systems.
