FDA Fast Facts: FDA is Investigating Possible Salmonella Contamination of an Ingredient Used in Several Popular Foods

For Immediate Release: July 26, 2018
Media Inquiries: Peter Cassell, 240-402-6537, peter.cassell@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, along with other partners, are investigating possible Salmonella contamination of a whey ingredient that has caused the recall of several popular foods. Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) of New Ulm, Minn., is recalling dry whey powder due to the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The FDA is working with AMPI’s customers to recall products that pose a potential risk to consumers. Mondelēz International Inc., Pepperidge Farm Inc. and Flowers Foods Inc. recalled certain products because they used the whey ingredient subject to AMPI’s recall. These recalled foods include a variety of Mondelēz’s Ritz cheese sandwiches and Ritz Bits cheese products, certain Pepperidge Farm’s Goldfish and Flowers Foods’ Swiss Rolls sold under various brand names.

Additional information about each specific recall is available on our website. There may be additional recalls in the coming days, of other products, as the FDA’s investigation reveals other food producers who may have used AMPI’s whey powder in a manner that could expose consumers to the potential risk.

“We’ve committed to alerting consumers early when we become aware of a risk of potential foodborne illness, and intervening aggressively. Our goal, as much as possible, is to mitigate risk, reduce consumer uncertainty and avoid potential harms. These commitments are guiding our work related to this investigation. Sometimes it means we need to share information before we know that people have become sick, or even that they’ve been exposed to a contaminant, because we know there’s a chance they could be at risk. As much as possible, our goal is to prevent consumer illness. Such is the case with these recalls. Right now, these are preventive steps. There are no confirmed illnesses related to these products. But we know these products are consumed daily across our country, often by children, which is why we’re alerting consumers now,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. “Our team is onsite investigating the facility that processes the dry whey used in the recalled products and we’re working to identify what other companies may have used this ingredient to determine what, if any, food may be contaminated with Salmonella. We take this work very seriously and will continue to communicate about this potential health risk as we learn more. Lately there have been many questions about whether we’re experiencing an uptick in food-related recalls. I can understand why it might appear that way, as we’ve increased our communications around food recalls and potential risks to food products. But we are not seeing an increase in the number or scope of recalls. Our tools for detecting them are much better, and our policies for how and when we alert the public lean in the direction of more and earlier communication. The American food supply is safer than ever before thanks to the preventive measures set forth in the landmark FDA Food Safety Modernization Act and advances in technology that help us detect and respond to problems.”

The following is an update on the FDA’s investigation.

Snapshots	By the Numbers (as of 7/25)
Recall Investigation Summary FDA, CDC and USDA are investigating potential Salmonella contamination of dry whey powder produced by AMPI. FDA is working with AMPI, Mondelēz International Inc., Pepperidge Farm Inc. and Flowers Foods Inc. to recall affected products FDA is inspecting the AMPI facility that processes the whey in question. AMPI has several distributors. FDA is working to determine if any of these companies received potentially contaminated product. Not all products that used the potentially contaminated dry whey will require a recall. Many have processing steps (like heating to certain temperatures) that would eliminate any Salmonella risk. FDA is closely coordinating with CDC so we will be aware of any potential illnesses that may be identified. Advice for Consumers Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products should not eat them. Consumers should discard recalled products or return any recalled product to the store where it was purchased. People who think they might have become ill from any of the recalled products should talk to their health care professional. Consumers with questions about food safety to Submit An Inquiry , or to consult fda.gov.	Recall Investigation No confirmed illnesses associated with this investigation at this time. Salmonellosis typically occurs 12 to 72 hours after exposure. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment. One ingredient manufacturer, AMPI, has identified a potential Salmonella contamination in at least one lot of their dry whey product. In addition to AMPI’s recall (Dry Whey ), FDA is monitoring four recalls of consumer products: Ritz Sandwich and Ritz Bits Goldfish crackers Swiss Rolls and Bread Hungry Man Wyngz