A variety of Ritz crackers and Goldfish snacks have been recalled by Nabisco and Pepperidge Farms due to possible salmonella contamination.
Both companies announced in news releases that the whey powder ingredient used in their seasoning, which is supplied by a common manufacturer, might be carrying the bacteria. Nabisco announced the voluntary recall of their products last week, and Pepperidge Farms joined them on Monday.
Katherine Wells, director of public health for City of Lubbock, said these recalls are precautionary as no cases of salmonella have been reported yet.
“These are both voluntary recalls, so the companies are recommending that you throw away those products,” she said. “However, there hasn’t been any associated disease.”
Stacy Peters, the director of food and nutrition at Grace Medical Center, said salmonella can cause a foodborne illness, which results in symptoms including fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. She said the onset of the illness typically happens within 12 to 72 hours.
“So just because you eat it that day doesn’t mean you are necessarily going to get sick that same day,” she explained. “It could take a little bit longer.”
Peters said those who are most at risk are young children, elderly and people with compromised immune systems, including cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. She said that as soon as she hears there is a recall, she searches the hospital for that product.
“So we take a big run through the facility and pull all of those products out of stock and just separate them so they cannot be used,” she said.
Peters said she suspects that there may be more recalls, and that there will be actual cases of salmonella related to these recalls.
“This may not be the last of the recalls, depending on who they have sold their whey to for food production,” she said.
Peters shared that the center’s HR director’s niece started to experience symptoms of salmonella infection after eating some of the Goldfish products that have been recalled.
“Right now it is just recalled as a precautionary thing,” she said. “They don’t know of any salmonella, but those dots may not have been connected yet from illness to manufacturer.”
Wells said customers may be able to get a reimbursement for any recalled items they have purchased.
The four Goldfish products that have been recalled are:
– Flavor Blasted® Xtra Cheddar
– Flavor Blasted® Sour Cream & Onion
– Goldfish® Baked with Whole Grain Xtra Cheddar
– Goldfish® Mix Xtra Cheddar + Pretzel
The Ritz products that have been recalled are any cheese flavored crackers as well as the mixed cookie cracker variety packs.