The Quaker Oats Company, a well-known cereal and snack brand under PepsiCo ownership, has expanded a recall initiated in December concerning certain granola bars and cereal products.
The recall now encompasses an increased number of items, including popular products like Cap’n Crunch Treats cereal bars and Gatorade Protein Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars.
Quaker Oats Initiates Expanded Recall
The expansion comes in response to potential contamination with Salmonella, a bacteria known to cause illness in humans.
According to a company announcement posted on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website, the expanded recall covers products with “best before” dates ranging from Jan. 11, 2024, to Oct. 31, 2024.
The initial recall, issued on Dec. 15, included specific granola bars and granola cereals, such as Quaker Chewy Bars and Quaker Simply Granola products. The products were distributed in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, and Saipan.
This recent expansion adds dozens more products to the recall list. Among the newly included items are additional types of Quaker Chewy Bars, Cap’n Crunch Treats bars and cereals, Quaker Oatmeal Squares cereal, Munchies Snack Mix, and Gamesa Marias Cereal.
Consumers can find a comprehensive list, including specific sizes, UPC tracking numbers, and “best before” dates, on the FDA website and Quaker Oats’ recall website.
Consumers are advised to check their pantries for the listed products and dispose of them. Quaker Oats encourages those impacted by the recall to contact Quaker Consumer Relations at 1-800-492-9322 (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST, Mon.-Fri.) or visit www.QuakerRecallUSA.com for additional information or product reimbursement. Reimbursement requests can be submitted through the Quaker recall website.
To determine whether a product is affected by the recall, consumers can scan the SmartLabel QR code on the product packages.
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Salmonella and Health Risks
Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause salmonellosis, an illness characterized by symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that while most people recover within four to seven days without antibiotics, some individuals may not develop symptoms for several weeks.
Antibiotic treatment is recommended for those at risk of serious infections, including individuals with severe illness, weakened immune systems, adults over 50 with medical issues, infants, and adults over 65.
The initial December recall stated that Quaker had received no confirmed reports of illness related to the recalled products.
However, it remains unclear whether the company has received reports of illnesses since then. Quaker Oats did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment on the matter.
As Quaker Oats expands its recall to include a broader range of products potentially contaminated with salmonella, consumers are urged to check their purchases, dispose of affected items, and seek reimbursement.
Staying informed about the recall details and following the provided guidance is crucial to ensuring public safety amid concerns about foodborne illnesses.
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