Ritz Crackers Recalled Due to Fears of Salmonella Poisoning

Product recalls can help keep us safe – but what does it say about a company that allows dangerous products to reach shelves in the first place? If a defective or dangerous product led to your injuries, contact Silverman, McDonald & Friedman. Our product liability lawyers in Seaford, Wilmington and Newark want to help.

WTVR reported that US health officials have issued warnings that consumers of some recently sold foods may suffer intestinal infections due to various types of bacteria such as salmonella, viruses, and parasites.

The manufacturers of food products have a duty to make sure their food is safe for consumers. If food is defective and the defect causes illnesses or death, the makers and sellers of the food products can be held strictly liable for these product defects. Foods can be defective because of the way they’re made, processed, packaged, and sold. Foods should have an expiration date which indicates consumption after that date is dangerous.

Generally, people with salmonella develop a fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps within 12-72 hours are exposure. Those with severe cases need to be hospitalized. The very young and very old are most at risk of serious consequences or death due to their less developed or weaker immune systems.

Some of the foods being recalled

The WTVR report states that health officials are warning food shoppers about the following dangerous food products:

• Ritz Cracker Sandwiches. Some of these crackers and Ritz bits have been recalled by Mondelēz Global LLC because one of the ingredients, whey power, is believed to be causing salmonella contamination. The recall is voluntary and not one being suggested or compelled by the Food and Drug Administration. The recall includes “Ritz Bits cheese cracker sandwiches and mixed cookie and cracker variety packs.”
• Hy-Vee pasta salad. A grocery store, Hy-Vee, located in Iowa is recalling a pasta salad that has links to 20 or more salmonella-related illnesses. Hy-Vee sold the products to numerous midwestern states.
• Raw turkey. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Department of Agriculture have reported 90 sicknesses in 26 states due to tainted turkeys. Those who have eaten turkeys with salmonella have identified different brands and types of turkey products. The CDC is concerned the outbreak is widespread.
• Precut melon or fruit salad mixes may have contaminated salmonella. About 60 people, mostly in states in the Midwest, have been affected. The fruits, including precut watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew, have been sold in the following stores – “Walmart, Kroger, Walgreens, Sprouts Farmers Market, Costco and Whole Foods/Amazon.”
• Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal. 100 people in 33 states have been affected by this salmonella outbreak. On June 14, 2018, the cereal was recalled. The FDA issued another warning to avoid the cereal in July. Retailers should understand that they are not legally allowed to sell Kellogg’s Honey Smacks. Consumers should avoid this product for now.

Other product recalls include Swiss rolls made by Flowers Foods, McDonald’s salads, and Del Monte Fresh vegetable trays, . The recalls affect numerous states. Locally, the FDA is warning that crab meat imported from Venezuela has caused Vibrio parahaemolyticus illness to people in Maryland, Washington DC, Pennsylvania and Louisiana. Residents of Delaware who travel to the Midwest or other states need to be careful about the foods they consume.

The law firm of Silverman, McDonald & Friedman has the experience and resources to file food-related product claims. We proudly serve all residents of Delaware, including people who live in or near Seaford, Wilmington, and Newark. Initial consultations ae free. To make an appointment, call 302-888-2900 or complete our contact form.