A variety of popular candies have been recalled in California due to concerns about contamination with deadly bacteria.
Yogurt-covered pretzels sold at major regional stores, including Gelson’s, Down Home Goods, Thorp Fruit and Smart and Final, are believed to contain traces of salmonella – a deadly foodborne bacteria that affects 1.3 million Americans annually.
The potentially harmful sweet snacks are produced both by the stores themselves and by the confectionery company First Street.
No illnesses have been reported.
The announcement, by the FDA, comes days after Iowa-based Palmer Candy Company urgently recalled its White Coated Confectionary Items due to the risk of salmonella.
The affected products were sold under the same brand name in Gelson stores in California
They were also sold under the First Street brand name
The candied pretzels are covered with a sweet yogurt layer that looks white and are packaged in transparent tubs.
The company was made aware of the risk through a routine sampling program by the yoghurt coating supplier. This showed that the end products contained salmonella bacteria.
Salmonella is caused by eating food contaminated with animal feces. According to the CDC, it typically causes diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps that begin six hours to six days after the initial infection.
Most people recover within days, although the disease is responsible for more than 26,000 hospitalizations and 400 deaths each year.
Western Mixers Produce & Nuts has halted production and distribution of the affected products while the company and the FDA investigate.
Health officials are urging people with affected products to throw them away.