Quaker Oats Company voluntarily recalled its granola bars over listeria possibilities. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration claims that the recall included a small batch of Quaker Quinoa Granola Bars.
No illnesses from consuming the mentioned products have been reported, according to CBS Local. However, the Chicago-based company was issuing the recall "out of an abundance of caution."
Currently, Quaker is working closely with the FDA to investigate the issue. In the meantime, the company is taking actions out of commitment and concern for their consumers.
An ingredient supplier distributed sunflower kernels, which may have been contaminated with listeria monocytogenes, according to the FDA. The bacterium can either be harmless or pathogenic which can cause serious or fatal infections.
The FDA explains that although most of the potentially affected Quaker products were stopped from reaching retail shelves, most of the products being recalled have already been distributed nationwide. The recalled products include 6.1-ounce boxes of Quaker Quinoa Granola Bars Chocolate Nut Medley. The products have best before dates of Oct. 16 and 17, 2016 with UPC codes 30000 32241.
Another batch of recalled products includes 6.1-ounce boxes of Quaker Quinoa Granola Bars Yogurt, Fruit & Nut. The products have best before dates of Oct. 10 and 11, 2016 with UPC codes 30000 32243. Those who have purchased the products are urged to return them to the store where they bought them to get a refund.
The FDA explains that listeria infections may cause short-term conditions such as severe headaches, high fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, stiffness and nausea. Listeria may also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women and serious fatal infections in young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.
Quaker Oats Company manufacturers hot cereals, grain-based snacks, pancake syrups and flavored rice products. In 2000, PepsiCo Inc. struck a deal to buy the company, including its popular Gatorade sports drink.
In April 2016, Norven brand herring in oil were also recalled in 10 states due to possible listeria contamination. In the same month, listeria was found in Wylwood brand frozen broccoli, which was consequently recalled in 11 states. The contamination was detected after a random test by Ohio officials, according to the Food Safety News.
