Food Poisoning Law Blog

The Illinois Department of Health has reported one case of Salmonella in a person who reported eating cereal that is part of the Malt-O-Meal recall, which involves Malt-O-Meal unsweetened Puffed Rice and unsweetened Puffed Wheat with “best if used by” dates ranging from APR0808 (April 8, 2008) to MAR2909 (March 29, 2009) sold under the Malt-O-Meal brand and several other brands, including  Acme, America’s Choice, Food Club, Giant, Hannaford, Jewel, Laura Lynn, Pathmark, Shaw’s, Shoprite, Tops and Weis Quality.  Tests are still pending.

Dr. Damon T. Arnold, state public health director, is warning consumers not to eat  the recalled puffed rice and puffed wheat cereal due to possible Salmonella contamination. Malt-O-Meal recalled the cereal after the company’s internal routine food safety testing found Salmonella. A link between the cereal and Salmonella cases has not yet been confirmed.

“I want people to check their shelves for the recalled puffed rice or puffed wheat cereals and get rid of them. Although it has not yet been confirmed that this cereal has caused people to become ill, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Either take the cereal back to the store where you bought it for a refund or throw it out, but just make sure you don’t eat it,” said Dr. Arnold.

If you are experiencing symptoms of Salmonella poisoning, please get medical attention.  If you are diagnosed with Salmonella, do not throw away or return the bag of cereal until you contact a Salmonella lawyer.  To contact our law firm regarding Salmonella poisoning, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free), e-mail our attorneys, or submit our free case consultation form. 

Symptoms of Salmonella, which last from 24 hours to 12 days, include headache, muscle aches, diarrhea, vomiting, rumblings in the bowels, chills, fever, nausea and dehydration. Symptoms usually appear 6 hours to 72 hours after ingestion.