Health Law

Kellogg Recalls Breakfast Cereals Due to "Bad Taste/Smell"

By David Babcock

Kellogg announced today the recall of approximately 28 million boxes of cereal.  According to a Wall Street Journal report, "some consumers could experience such temporary symptoms as nausea and diarrhea because of the liner in the packaging."

The cereal maker, working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, said the voluntary recall covers certain boxes of its Apple Jacks, Corn Pops, Froot Loops and Honey Smacks cereals distributed nationwide. The products' better-if-used-before dates range from March 26, 2011, to June 22, 2011.

Kellogg is indicating that  some consumers may be sensitive to the "uncharacteristic off-flavor and smell" coming from the linings.   There does not appear to be information on the source or the nature of the defect.

It is unusual for a food recall to be associated with a problem that can be detected by taste or smell by the consumer.  Most of the recalls and outbreaks we deal with here- Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, Campylobacter- involve pathogens that are not detectable by sight, smell, or taste in the amounts necessary to cause illness. 

Full post as published by Food Poison Blog on June 25, 2010 (boomark / email).