June 14, 2018

Media Inquiries

  Peter Cassell
  240-402-6537

“We’re committed to helping make sure Americans can have confidence that the food they buy is safe, and to alerting consumers quickly when we learn about risks and unsafe products. Today we’re issuing a warning to consumers that Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal may be contaminated with Salmonella. This is based on preliminary evidence linking it to an outbreak of illnesses across the country. The FDA has already initiated an inspection of the facility that we believe is linked to the Salmonella contamination. And we’ve worked with the company to immediately initiate a recall of this product. We’ll continue to work with Kellogg’s to identify not only the source of the contamination, but the actions needed to prevent this kind of outbreak from happening again,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. “Earlier this year, I committed the FDA to improve on our recall processes because I believe that consumers should have actionable and timely information to protect themselves from recalled products. Recalls are a cornerstone of our consumer protection mission. Today’s action is part of the commitment we made earlier this year to act quickly in response to identified risks and to notify consumers early in the course of our investigations.”

Today, the FDA worked with Kellogg’s to issue a recall and remove from the market Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal after preliminary evidence links the product to more than 60 illnesses from Salmonella Mbandaka spanning across more than 30 states.

The FDA is working with the company to quickly remove this cereal from the marketplace. The FDA has also asked Kellogg’s to request that all retailers of this product immediately put up signs that Honey Smacks cereal has been recalled and to remove the potentially contaminated product from shelves. The FDA is inspecting the facility that manufactures Kellogg’s Honey Smacks.

While investigations continue, consumers are advised to check their pantries and cabinets as this cereal has a shelf life of about a year when it is unopened. If you are experiencing symptoms of Salmonella, immediately seek the attention of a healthcare professional.

The FDA is working with CDC and state partners on this quickly developing investigation and will continue to provide ongoing updates as more information is learned.

The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.