Company addresses salmonella find in previously recalled peanut butter crackers

Mackay expresses regret, disappointment; company continues to cooperate with FDA investigation of supplier's recalled peanut paste

Kellogg Company is evaluating the necessary actions to reassure consumers and rebuild their confidence in our products after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration confirmed the presence of salmonella in a package of our Austin Quality Foods Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter, a product we recalled Friday January 16 after one of our ingredient suppliers issued a recall of its peanut paste.

Our Austin Quality Foods Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter are one of the impacted products included in our recall. Click here for a complete list of our recalled products, as well as the advice we're providing to consumers who may have purchased these products.

What is Salmonella? Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Salmonella lives in the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals, including birds, and can be transmitted to humans by eating foods contaminated with animal feces. Food may also become contaminated by the hands of an infected food handler who did not wash hands with soap after using the bathroom. Contaminated foods usually look and smell normal. Anyone with symptoms should seek immediate medical attention. Learn more about salmonella and its symptoms at www.FDA.gov

Kellogg is among a growing list of companies in the food industry recalling products that may contain the tainted ingredient, made by Lynchburg, Va.-based Peanut Corporation of America. Our company leaders have been working in close cooperation with FDA officials during the past several days as they've continued to investigate a nationwide salmonella outbreak.

"We apologize to our consumers and customers, and we can't emphasize enough our disappointment and deep regret about this situation," says President and CEO David Mackay. "The food industry upholds certain operating standards, and we are proud that we exceed these standards in our facilities. Events of the last week suggest there was a breach in this supplier's process that is unacceptable to Kellogg, our customers and our consumers."

David continues, "Based on our learnings from this experience and consistent with our 100-year commitment to quality and food safety, Kellogg will evaluate its processes to ensure we take the necessary actions to reassure consumers and rebuild confidence in these products."

On Wednesday, January 14, our customers and consumers were advised to hold certain of our products pending more information on the Peanut Corporation of America situation. We officially recalled those products Friday.

Our U.S. businesses are working aggressively to ensure prompt completion of the recall. Our sales force, along with a third-party retrieval company we've engaged, are assisting our customers in removing recalled products from the marketplace.

"I know all of you feel the same disappointment and deep concern that I do about this situation and how it has impacted our consumers and the company," David adds."Again, we appreciate your continued confidence in our company and in our brands. We remain committed to keeping you informed as this situation continues to develop."

Given the national media attention the salmonella outbreak and related recalls are receiving, it's only natural that Kellogg employees and retirees should expect to receive questions about the situation - and particularly the actions Kellogg is taking - from friends, family and others. Kellogg employees and retirees always serve as important ambassadors of our company.

Retirees can feel comfortable answering informal questions from family and friends by letting them know that the company regrets the situation and have taken immediate steps to remove the recalled products from the marketplace. You can also express your confidence that Kellogg is taking the appropriate and necessary steps to address this situation, reassure consumers and rebuild confidence in these products.

If you know someone who has purchased any of the recalled products, please instruct him or her to destroy it. Those with questions or who would like a refund may contact the Kellogg Consumer Response Center at 877-869-5633.

Because the situation is nationwide, very complex and continuously evolving, you can direct people to www.FDA.gov for the most up-to-date information.