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In recent weeks, four major food companies have been forced to recall some of their products. Recalls should be taken very seriously--three deaths have already been linked to one product--but it can be hard to know exactly what's going on.
We've taken all the guess work out of the equation for you, though, so you and your family can be safe.
Here are four of the most recent recalls:
1. Frontier, Simply Organic, and Whole Foods Market brand products made with organic garlic powder.
After a list of products tested positive for Salmonella during a test done by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Frontier Co-op has voluntarily recalled over 40 products manufactured with organic garlic powder that were sold under the brand "Frontier and Simply Organic" brands, as well as one product sold under the "Whole Foods Market" brand. No illnesses have been reported yet.
2. Trader Joe's walnuts.
After a routine testing done by an outside company contracted by the FDA, Trader Joe's has decided to recall their raw walnuts, which were shipped nationwide, after the presence of Salmonella in certain packages was found. Trader Joe's has not received any illness complaints, but they have removed all of the contaminated products from store shelves and will suspend sales of these products until the FDA finishes their investigation and finds out the source of the problem.
3. Kraft Macaroni & Cheese.
Kraft has voluntarily recalled approximately 242,000 cases (in other words, over 6.5 million boxes) of their original Macaroni & Cheese when it was discovered that some of the boxes contained small pieces of metal. "The recalled product is limited to the 7.25-oz. size of the Original flavor of boxed dinner with the 'Best When Used By' dates of September 18, 2015 through October 11, 2015, with the code 'C2' directly below the date on each individual box," the official press release states. They further state that eight people have come forward after finding pieces of metal in their product, but no injuries have been reported.
4. Blue Bell ice cream.
Blue Bell Creamery has recalled their ice cream products after five patients in a Kansas hospital tested positive for listeria shortly after drinking milkshakes made with Blue Bell ice cream. Three of the patients have died, but the connection between their deaths and listeria is still being debated. The FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are currently investigating the cases. Listeria, a rare and serious illness caused by eating food contaminated with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, can present itself anywhere from a few days up to a few weeks after eating the contaminated food. The FDA advises that if you have a fever and muscle aches (occasionally preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms), or develop a fever and chills after eating Blue Bell ice cream, you should seek medical care and tell your health care provider about any history of eating the ice cream. The FDA also urges people to throw out the contaminated products you may have to be on the safe side--be sure to clean your freezer as well as any surfaces the products may have come in contact with, as well.
What do you think about these recalls? Have you eaten any of these products? Let us know in the comments!
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