By Eatocracy Editors
(CNN) – Food recalls are coming in fast and furious and it’s often hard to keep track. This is the second in a series of recall round-ups in which we’ll share the most up-to-date information on the foods you should be scrutinizing right now.
MoonPies
Chattanooga Bakery has voluntarily recalled its Peanut Butter Crunch MoonPie products as a precautionary measure because its peanut butter supplier, Sunland, Inc., was linked to potential Salmonella contamination. The products affected have “Best By” dates of 02/26/13, 03/25/13, and 04/29/13. Chattanooga Bakery has not been associated with any of the 29 reported illnesses in 18 states due to the Sunland product recall.
Cookies
Check the cookie jar too: Whole Foods has recalled its 3-oz. peanut butter cookies and 3-oz. peanut butter chocolate chunk cookies (PLU 47963) sold in its self-serve pastry case, and its mini peanut butter cookies sold in 12-pack paper bags (PLU 22096100000) due to possible Salmonella contamination from the Sunland, Inc., peanut butter used as an ingredient as well.
The recalled cookies were sold before September 29, 2012 in Whole Foods Market stores in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.
Consumers with questions may call (512)-542-0060 during the hours of 10 am to 6 pm ET and those in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas may bring their receipt to the store of purchase for a full refund. The product should be discarded immediately.
Fast facts on salmonella
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that people in a normal state of health who ingest Salmonella-tainted food may experience diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, which typically begin within 12 to 72 hours. This may be accompanied by vomiting, chills, headache and muscle pains. These symptoms may last about four to seven days, and then go away without specific treatment, but left unchecked, Salmonella infection may spread to the bloodstream and beyond and may cause death if the person is not treated promptly with antibiotics.
Children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune symptoms should practice extreme caution, as salmonellosis may lead to severe illness or even death.
Cheese
Forever Cheese Inc. has expanded its recall of all Marte brand Ricotta Salata Frescolina cheese (a product of Italy) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recall was originally reported on September 10, 2012, and has been linked to 15 illnesses in 12 states.
The cheese was sold to distributors for retailers and restaurants in Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Washington D.C. between September 1, 2011, and August 31, 2012.
Consumers with food safety question are encouraged to contact Jeff DiMeo at Forever Cheese and mention the recall. He is available Monday through Friday between the hours of 9am and 5pm ET at (888)-930-8693.
Fast facts on listeria
According to the Food and Drug Administration, listeria is an organism that can cause foodborne illness. Symptoms of infection may include fever, muscle aches, gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. Pregnant women and adults with weakened immune systems are at the greatest risk and most healthy adults and children rarely become seriously ill.
