Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin is alerting Georgia residents to the recall of two cereals manufactured by Malt-O-Meal of Minneapolis, Minn.

Malt-O-Meal is voluntarily recalling unsweetened Puffed Rice and unsweetened Puffed Wheat cereals with “best if used by” dates ranging from APR0808 (April 8, 2008)  to MAR1809 (March 18, 2009) because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Salmonella is a food borne illness that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

The recalled products were distributed nationally, marketed under the Malt-O-Meal brand and as some private label brands including Acme, America’s Choice, Food Club, Giant, Hannaford, Jewel, Laura Lynn, Pathmark, Shaw’s, Shoprite, Tops and Weis Quality.  

A comprehensive listing of affected products can be found at www.malt-o-meal.com/recallinfo.

The recall was initiated after the company’s internal routine food safety testing detected the presence of Salmonella in a product produced on March 24. The company immediately commenced an investigation. Initial results from the investigation indicated that additional products may have been exposed to this contaminant. As a precautionary measure the company chose to voluntarily recall all unsweetened Puffed Rice and unsweetened Puffed Wheat cereals with the “best if used by” codes mentioned above.

The company found the cause of this situation and has taken corrective measures to prevent its reoccurrence.   

All other Malt-O-Meal products are unaffected by this action and are safe for continued sale and consumption.

Consumers who have purchased products listed above are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-877-665-9331.  

“Our sanitarians will be looking for these products during their routine inspections of grocery stores and food warehouses to make sure they have been removed from sale,” said Commissioner Irvin.