Quaker Oats initiated a significant recall on Friday, pulling more than 40 of its granola bar and cereal products from shelves due to potential salmonella contamination.
Among the impacted items are the classic Chewy granola bar variety pack, chocolate-coated Chewy Dipps bars, assorted puffed and protein cereals, and even granola bars included in certain Frito-Lays snack assortments, as detailed in a list provided by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The FDA, in a news release announcing the recall, confirmed that Quaker has not received any verified reports of illnesses associated with these products.
The affected products bear “best by” dates extending until October 2024 and were distributed across all 50 states, along with Puerto Rico, Guam, and Saipan.
Despite CNN’s outreach for comment, the Quaker Oats Company—a subsidiary of PepsiCo—has not responded.
Salmonella, a bacterial pathogen, can be present in various sources like animal products, fruits, vegetables, flour, and processed foods, including pre-made dishes, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC estimates that over 1 million cases of foodborne illness annually are linked to this bacterium.
Typically, healthy individuals exposed to Salmonella might endure symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort, according to the FDA.
However, the CDC underscores the higher risk for severe or life-threatening infections among specific demographics—children under five, adults over 65, and individuals with compromised immune systems.