A variety of popular candies have been recalled in California due to concerns about contamination with deadly bacteria.
Yogurt-covered pretzels sold at major regional stores, including Gelson’s, Down Home Goods, Thorp Fruit and Smart and Final, are believed to contain traces of salmonella, a deadly foodborne bacteria that affects 1.3 million of Americans each year.
Potentially harmful sweet snacks are produced both by the stores themselves and by the confectionery company First Street.
No illness has been reported.
The FDA announcement comes days after Iowa-based Palmer Candy Company urgently recalled its “white-coated confectionery items” due to the risk of salmonella.
The affected products were sold in Gelson stores in California under the same brand.
They were also sold under the First Street brand.
The candied pretzels are covered with a layer of sweet yogurt that appears white and are packaged in transparent tubs.
The company was made aware of the risk through a routine sampling program conducted by the yogurt coating supplier. This revealed that the finished products contained salmonella bacteria.
Salmonella is caused by eating food contaminated with animal feces. It typically causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps that begin between six hours and six days after initial infection, according to the CDC.
Most people recover within days, although the disease is responsible for more than 26,000 hospitalizations and 400 deaths a year.
Western Mixers Produce & Nuts has halted production and distribution of the affected products while the company and the FDA investigate.
Health officials urge those with affected products to discard them.
