Salmonella advisory issued for Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal

STATEWIDE - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Mbandaka infections linked to Kellogg's Honey Smacks Cereals.

Seventy-three people from 31 states, including 24 who have been hospitalized, have reported becoming ill.

While no cases have been identified in Delaware, out of an abundance of caution, the Division of Public Health is sharing this information as most of our surrounding states on the East Coast have been affected. No deaths have been reported at this time.

The CDC reports that illnesses started on dates ranging from March 3, 2018, to May 28, 2018. On June 14, 2018, the Kellogg Company recalled 15.3-ounce and 23-ounce packages of Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal.

Recalled Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal has a "best if used by" date from June 14, 2018, through June 14, 2019. The "best if used by" date is on the box top.

Retailers should not serve or sell, recalled Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal.

The CDC and DPH recommend the following actions for consumers who have recalled Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal:

? Do not eat the recalled Kellogg'sHoney Smack cereal.

? Throw out the cereal or return it for a refund. You should do this even if someone in your household ate some and did not get sick.

? If you store cereal in a container without the packaging and don't remember the brand or type, throw it away.

Thoroughly wash the container with warm, soapy water before using it again to remove harmful germs that could contaminate other food.

People get sick from Salmonella 12 to 72 hours after swallowing the germ and experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Most people recover within a week, but some illnesses can last longer and be more severe.

This investigation is ongoing. The CDC will provide more information as it becomes available

For more information about this outbreak, call the CDC media line at 404-639-3286. To report food-borne illness in Delaware, call 302-744-1033 or 1-888-295-515.