Huge Salmonella Outbreak In 31 States Linked To Kellogg's Honey Smacks

Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal has been blamed for a salmonella outbreak in 31 states, infecting 73 people, the Centers for Disease Control announced on Thursday.

The CDC report warns: "Do not eat Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal of any size package or with any "best if used by" date." So far, 24 people have been hospitalized, however no deaths have been associated with the outbreak.

• "Do not eat Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal in any size package. Check your home for it and throw it away, or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
• Retailers should not sell or serve recalled Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal.
• The Kellogg Company recalled Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal on June 14, 2018.
• 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.
  • If you store cereal in a container without the packaging and don't remember the brand or type, throw it away.
  • Thoroughly wash the container with warm, soapy water before using it again to remove harmful germs that could contaminate other food."

Kellogg announced a recall of the cereal on Thursday, specifically on 15.3-ounce and 23-ounce packages with "best if used by dates" from June 14, 2018, through June 14, 2019.

No other Kellogg's products are currently under recall.

On Friday, the Food and Drug Administration expanded the recall to include all Honey Smacks cereal "regardless of size" or expiration date, stating on their website:

"The FDA is advising consumers to not eat and to discard any Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal. This is regardless of size or 'best if used by' dates. The recall notice accounts for all of the product that is on the market within the cereal's estimated one year shelf-life. However, Honey Smacks products with earlier dates could also potentially be contaminated."

Reports of symptoms initially began in March - salmonella symptoms include fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, which appear 1-3 days after exposure. Most people recover in about a week with proper medical treatment.

"The FDA's staff has initiated an inspection at the facility that manufactures Kellogg's Honey Smacks and is working quickly with the company to collect additional information," the agency said in a statement.

An investigation is currently underway into the manufacturer of the cereal in order to determine the source of the outbreak.