Budget supermarket chain Aldi is recalling four brands of cream cheese because they have been contaminated with salmonella, a bacteria that causes deadly food poisoning.
The products, only available at Aldi, were on sale in 28 US states and include Happy Farms W.Cream cheese spread with hips, cream cheese spread with chives and onion, cream cheese spread and cream cheese spread with strawberries.
The brand’s manufacturer, Schreiber Foods, recommends discarding these products immediately or returning them to the store for a refund.
Aldi has recalled four brands of cream cheese, affecting 28 states.
Aldi operates grocery stores throughout the United States and is known for its discount products.
Schreiber Foods also sells products to other supermarket chains.
This includes Hy-Vee, another national chain operating throughout the Midwest, which announced a similar recall earlier this week.
Hy-Vee is recalling Hy-Vee cream cheese spread as well as its Cookies and Cream bulk mix. USA Today reported.
A third Midwest retailer called Schnucks also recalled some of its Schreiber-made products. These include Schnucks Whip Cream Spread, Schnucks Strawberry Spread, and Schnucks Cream Cheese Spread.
Salmonella is the most common type of food poisoning in the U.S., causing 1.35 million infections each year.
It may cause fever, stomach cramps, vomiting, and nausea, depending on Cleveland Clinic.
Most people recover from the infection without needing treatment, but in severe cases, diarrhea can cause dehydration and require medical attention.
About 26,500 Americans go to the hospital for this disease and 420 of them end up dying each year.
If you are immunocompromised or elderly, you are at particular risk of developing serious complications from salmonella and should seek medical attention if you have been exposed to the bacteria.