Salmonella Concerns: FDA Recalls Quaker Granola Bars and Cereals

The Quaker Oats Company announced a recall of more than 40 types of granola bars and cereal products on Friday due to potential Salmonella contamination, as stated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Popular granola bar products like Quaker Chewy Bars and Quaker Simply Granola cereal, as well as certain Frito-Lay snack boxes containing Chewy Bars, were included in the recall.

Despite the recall, Quaker assured customers that there have been no recorded adverse health effects directly linked to the recall.

The company emphasized Salmonella's potential severity, pointing out that it can lead to serious, at times fatal, infections among vulnerable groups such as young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems."

The recalled granola products, which were sold across the United States and in Puerto Rico, Guam, and Saipan, includes granola bars and cereals.

The company didn't disclose any details about the retailers that stocked the potentially contaminated items or the source of the possible Salmonella contamination.

Both the FDA and Quaker put up a list displaying every product recalled along with their size, universal product code, and their “best by” dates to help customers identify them. Many of these products have “best by” dates from now until mid-2024.

Quaker advises customers to check their food storage for these itemst. If found, the products should be discarded.

Customers who believe they've bought a potentially contaminated product can get in touch with Quaker Customer Relations during business hours at 1-800-492-9322 or visit the company's website for more information or to seek reimbursement.

While there have been no confirmed cases of Salmonella linked to the recall, the risk of contamination is a significant health issue.

The bacteria Salmonella can lead to salmonellosis, a type of foodborne illness or food poisoning.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates approximately 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the U.S each year due to Salmonella.

Most Salmonella infections are typically associated with raw meats like chicken and turkey, eggs, but processed foods and other fruits and vegetables can also be contaminated.

In recent months, the U.S. has witnessed other Salmonella outbreaks and recalls linked to foods like cantaloupe, diced onions, and ground beef.

Salmonella contaminated food can result in gastrointestinal symptoms between six hours and six days after ingestion. Most people recover from the infection within a week and generally do not require treatment.

In rare cases, the Salmonella infection can become severe, requiring hospitalization, as the bacteria can spread from the intestines to other areas of the body, which may be lethal.

Severe scenarios tend to occur in pregnant individuals, those with weakened immune systems, the elderly, and children below the age of 5. This last group is particularly concerning, given that Quaker's Chewy Bars are often marketed towards children as a snack option.

Anyone worried about potentially consuming Salmonella-contaminated food should immediately contact a healthcare provider.