Cereal is linked to Salmonella outbreak affecting people in Kentucky and Indiana

Published: July 18, 2018 | Updated: May 31, 2021

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning for consumers telling them not to eat Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal — no matter the package size or best-by date printed on the package.

The cereal has been linked to an outbreak of Salmonella that has sickened 100 people in 33 states, including two in Kentucky and three in Indiana. Of these, 30 people have been hospitalized.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can start to appear 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Symptoms include:

• • Diarrhea
  • Fever
  • Abdominal cramps

If you experience these symptoms, here’s what you should do:

• Get plenty of rest.
• Wash your hands and clean areas that may have become contaminated. The illness can be spread from person to person, and the bacteria can live on surfaces for a few hours.
• Stay home from work and school, and avoid social gatherings. The bacteria can spread if you or those around you don’t practice good hand hygiene.
• Drink lots of fluids, including water and sports drinks containing electrolytes and vitamins, to prevent dehydration.

The CDC estimates that each year around 1 million people become sick from Salmonella in food. Of these, 19,000 people are hospitalized and more than 300 die.

Most cases of Salmonella last four to seven days and do not require medical treatment. However, you should watch for signs of dehydration, which can be a major concern and require immediate help.

This warning comes on the heels of a June 2018 melon recall that sickened 70 people in seven states.