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THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234


Office for Elementary, Middle, Secondary and Continuing Education
School Operations and Management
Child Nutrition Program Administration
Room 55, Albany, New York 12234-0055
Tel (518) 474-3956 Fax (518) 473-0018
Web address: www.nysed.gov/cn/cnms.htm

 

To: School Food Service Directors/Managers
From: Frances N. O'Donnell
Date: April 8, 2008
Subject: Recall-Malt-O-Meal Puffed Rice and Puffed Wheat-Possible Salmonella
 
   

 

Malt-O-Meal

2700 IDS Tower

80 S. 8th Street

Minneapolis, MN 55402

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
04/05/08

Consumer contact:

Malt-O-Meal Consumer Affairs

877-665-9331

www.maltomeal.com <http://www.maltomeal.com/>

Media contact:

Jon Austin

612-839-5172

jon@jaustingroup.com

MALT-O-MEAL COMPANY INITIATES VOLUNTARY RECALL OF UNSWEETENED PUFFED
RICE AND UNSWEETENED PUFFED WHEAT CEREALS

DUE TO POSSIBLE HEALTH RISK

Minneapolis - (April 5) - Malt-O-Meal announced today that it is voluntarily recalling unsweetened Puffed Rice and unsweetened Puffed Wheat cereals with "best if used by" dates ranging from APR0808 (April 8, 2008) to MAR1809 (March 18, 2009) because they may have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Persons infected with Salmonella may experience a variety of symptoms and illnesses including fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in more severe illnesses, some potentially life threatening.

The recalled product was distributed nationally, marketed under the Malt-O-Meal brand and as some private label brands including Acme, America's Choice, Food Club, Giant, Hannaford, Jewel, Laura Lynn, Pathmark, Shaw's, Shoprite, Tops and Weis Quality. A comprehensive listing of affected products can be found at www.malt-o-meal.com/recallinfo.

The recall was initiated after the company's internal routine food safety testing detected the presence of Salmonella in a product produced on 3/24/08. The Company immediately commenced an investigation to determine the root cause of this test result as well as the extent of any possible exposure. Initial results from the follow-up investigation indicate that additional products may have been exposed to this contaminant. Thus, out of an abundance of caution to protect consumers, the Company has chosen to voluntarily remove from the market all unsweetened Puffed Rice and unsweetened Puffed Wheat cereals with the "best if used by" codes mentioned above. Investigation into the source of the Salmonella has determined a root cause of this situation and corrective measures have been taken to ensure that there is no reoccurrence of this issue.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this issue. All other Malt-O-Meal products are unaffected by this action and are safe for continued sale and consumption.

Consumers who have purchased products listed above are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-877-665-9331.