Salmonella Scare in Candy Eggs Leads to Recall
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Kris Timken/Photodisc(INDIANAPOLIS) — When people worry about getting salmonella from eggs, they usually aren’t talking about the chocolate ones. Still, one Indiana candymaker has announced a recall of its chocolate-covered marshmallow eggs as a precaution.
Zachary Confections announced the voluntary recall of the Easter treat Wednesday after a sample taken during routine testing revealed “the potential for salmonella contamination,” according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Salmonella is a foodborne bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes deadly infections in the very young and old, as well as in people who have weakened immune systems, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It kills roughly 400 Americans each year.
The recall covers 5-ounce packages of the sweets that are sold in white egg crates with purple, green and yellow lettering, carry the product number 31-797 and the best buy date of Feb. 14, 2014. The packages were shipped from the Frankfort, Ind., factory Feb. 21 and 22, and have been distributed to stores in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin, according to the FDA.
Zachary Confections has not received reports of illness linked to its products, according to the FDA but have suspended production while it investigates the potential contamination.
“We are dedicated to manufacturing wholesome products for our customers,” George Anichini, vice president of operations for Zachary Confections, said in a statement. “Consistent with that dedication, we are taking this voluntary action.”
The FDA recommends that consumers who purchased the recalled products destroy them or return them to the store.
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