Kellogg Company announced today a voluntary recall of 28 million boxes of cereal, including children's favorites like Apple Jacks, Fruit Loops, and Corn Pops, due to what was described as "an uncharacteristic off-flavor and smell coming from the liner in the package".
UPDATE 6/27/10: Kellogg's just released a media statement explaining why those package liners smelled so foul. Click here to read the recap, "Froot Loops recall: Kellogg's explains what happened."
UPDATE 7/17/10: The nonprofit organization Environmental Working Group announced that a petroleum-based chemical was responsible for the intense smell that prompted the recall. Read the article, "Froot Loops recall triggered by petroleum-based chemicals in box liners".
Over twenty customer complaints of the smell, including five which claimed the smell induced nausea and even vomiting, helped trigger the voluntary recall.
Kellogg's recalled products were distributed nationwide. Locally, these cereals are available in all HEB stores, Walmarts, and Targets, as well as at CVS and Walgreens drugstores.
What to look for in your pantry
Only Kellogg's products with the letters "KN" following the Better If Used Before Date are included in the recall. Products with a "KM" designation are NOT included in the recall.
Kellogg's® Apple Jacks®
UPC 3800039136 1: 17 ounce package with Better if Used Before Dates between APR 10 2011 and JUN 22 2011
UPC 3800039132 3: 8.7 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between JUN 03 2011 and JUN 22 2011
Kellogg's® Corn Pops®
UPC 3800039109 5: 12.5 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011
UPC 3800039111 8: 17.2 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011
UPC 3800039116 3: 9.2 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between APR 05 2011 and JUN 22 2011
Kellogg's® Froot Loops®
UPC 3800039118 7: 12.2 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011
UPC 3800039120 0: 17 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011
UPC 3800039125 5: 8.7 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011
Kellogg's® Honey Smacks®
UPC 3800039103 3: 15.3 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011
What to do with the recalled cereals
You can return any cereals involved in the Kellogg's recall to the store you purchased them at, for a complete refund of your purchase price. For more information, contact the Kellogg Consumer Response Center at 888-801-4163 from 8 am to 8 pm Eastern time.
Other food recalls over the weekend
Turns out Kellogg's wasn't the only food company announcing recalls over the weekend. Walmart also issued a recall for 109,800 pounds of frozen BBQ pizza, following discovery of small pieces of plastic in the product line. Read the article, "Walmart recall: frozen chicken BBQ pizza recalled nationally."
Make sure you check your pantry for these other recent recalls:
Feline's Pride cat food recalled nationally due to salmonella contamination
Scope mouthwash recalled for faulty child-resistant cap
Texas-based manufacturing plant recalls 15 million cans of SpaghettiOs
Frozen and canned food recalls: how to keep your family safe
Check out these other popular articles by the San Antonio Budget Grocery Examiner:
The week's best deals at Walgreens
The week's best deals at Target
Hurricane season -- 5 items you need in your kitchen in case of emergency
Want to stay on top of San Antonio's best budget grocery coupons and deals? Click the subscribe button above to have spam-free budget grocery deals sent directly to your in-box. Or keep up with the deals on Facebook.
San Antonio Budget Grocery Examiner
Promote Your Page Too
Comments
Now I have to check all of my cereal..and that's going to take a while since I practically live off of the stuff. Great article, and thanks for the info.
Ouch.
It seems like food recalls are becoming more prevalent.
Damn. Thanks for alerting everyone.
People who eat this sugar-and-chemical stuff for breakfast are killing themselves anyway.
These recalls are getting ridiculous!
now i have 2 boxes of pops with the letters KNA does anyone know if that is recalled also the one that they are showing has the letters KN?
Important
Gosh, what will be next!
Terry, if you're not sure if your boxes of cereal are part of the recall, I would suggest calling Kellogg's Consumer Response Center at 888-801-4163 to get more information.
Consumers who have recalled boxes of cereal but no time to return them to the store can also use that toll-free number to sign up for coupons good for free replacement boxes, which is nice.
Terry, if you're not sure if your boxes of cereal are part of the recall, I would suggest calling Kellogg's Consumer Response Center at 888-801-4163 to get more information.
Consumers who have recalled boxes of cereal but no time to return them to the store can also use that toll-free number to sign up for coupons good for free replacement boxes, which is nice.
Thank you for the detailed info!
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!