These yogurt-covered pretzels might make you sick, FDA warns. Here’s what you need to know
Popular brands of yogurt-covered pretzels were recalled last week after a routine sampling of the sweet coating was found to contain salmonella.
The pretzels distributed by the wholesaler, Western Mixers Produce & Nuts Inc. of Ontario, were sent across California through Smart & Final, Gelson’s Markets, Thorp Fruit and Down Home Goods stores. The pretzels are packaged in plastic containers under the names First Street Brand at Smart & Final and as Gelson’s Markets’ store brand. They are sold as bulk at Down Home Goods and Thorp Fruit, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
No illnesses have been reported. The FDA advises people to throw away all yogurt-covered pretzels they purchased from those retailers.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recorded a total of 313 food recalls and public health alerts in 2023, according to a report by Public Interest Research Group.
Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in children under 5 or older adults and people with weakened immune systems. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the bacteria causes about 1.35 million infections, more than 26,000 hospitalizations and 420 deaths in the United States each year. Food that contains the bacteria is the most common culprit.
Most people who get sick from salmonella have diarrhea, vomiting, fever and stomach cramps that can start from six hours to six days after coming into contact with the bacteria. The infection can last between four and seven days, according to the CDC.
The recall applies to certain batches of Trader Joe’s 50% Less Salt Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews, which were sold in California and 15 other states.
Production of the yogurt-covered pretzels have been suspended, with the FDA and the company continuing its investigation into the source of the contamination.
The recall comes just days after Palmer Candy in Iowa pulled back its white-coated confectionery goods on May 5 after the company’s liquid coating supplier notified them that an ingredient may have been contaminated with salmonella. That recall included products that were distributed nationwide in Walmart, HyVee, Target and Dollar General and to other suppliers in 17 states, including California.
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