Health authorities have ordered an emergency recall of popular candy sold at Walmart stores across the United States over concerns about contamination with a deadly bacteria.
Iowa-based Palmer Candy Company voluntarily recalled its “white-coated confectionery items” in early May after discovering they may be contaminated with salmonella, a foodborne illness that infects 1.3 million Americans a year.
Now health officials have increased the severity of the May recall, upgrading it to a “Class I” designation on Aug. 6, the most serious category of product recall.
According to the FDA, a “Class I” recall means a “situation in which there is a reasonable likelihood that use of or exposure to a violative product will result in serious health consequences or death.”
The FDA said the affected products — snack mixes such as pretzels, cookies, popcorn and chocolates — were distributed nationwide at Walmart, HyVee, Target and Dollar General stores.
They were also shipped to distributors in the following states: Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
The FDA said there have been no injuries or illnesses linked to the products so far.
These potentially harmful sweets are covered in a white-looking sugary coating and come in a variety of packaging, including bags, pouches and jars.
The affected candies were sold under brand names including Palmer Candy, Great Value, Casey’s and Every True Tiger, a University of Missouri brand.
Palmer Candy was informed of the potential hazard by its liquid coating supplier, who said the products could be contaminated with salmonella.
‘Palmer Candy Company, Sioux City, Iowa, is recalling its ‘white coated confectionery items’ because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems,’ the FDA announced in May.
The products were sold under several brands, including Walmart’s Great Value.
Salmonella is caused by eating food contaminated with animal feces. It typically causes diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps that begin six hours to six days after the 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.
Production has been suspended while the FDA and Palmer Candy investigate.
Consumers who have purchased any white-coated confectionery products manufactured by Palmer Candy Company are encouraged to return the items to the place of purchase for a full refund.
