MINNEAPOLIS – Malt-O-Meal Company is voluntarily recalling “Maple & Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal” and “Maple & Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal” packets sold in “Variety” cartons, with carton date codes between June 30, 2009 and October 28, 2010 because it contains instant non-fat dry milk manufactured by the Plainview Milk Products Cooperative. Plainview has recently commenced a recall of instant non-fat dry milk and other ingredients that have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria.
Salmonella is an organism which 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 (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.  The product affected by this recall includes single-serve packets of “Maple & Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal” and “Maple & Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal” packets sold in “Variety” cartons distributed nationally under a variety of brands in cartons of 6 to 15 packets. Brands include Cub Foods, Diamond Crystal, Fastco, Flavorite, Foodland, Good ‘n Hearty, Hearty Traditions, Hy-Top, IGA, Mom’s Best Natural, Megaroons, Millville, Our Family, Richfood, Shop ‘n Save and Smart Menu.
Consumers should look on the product cartons for carton date codes that are between June 30, 2009 (which would be printed as “JUN3009”) and October 28, 2010 (which would be printed as “OCT2810”). These dates are usually printed as the first seven characters of a 15-character string as illustrated in the accompanying illustration. The affected products include the following: Consumers also can refer to the comprehensive list of affected products here or at www.momsbestnaturals.com/oatmeal-news/details.php . Consumers who have purchased affected products should not consume them and are urged to return them to their place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-877-665-9331 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Central time.  For more information on Salmonella, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at http://www.cdc.gov .