Pretzel Recall Update as FDA Sets Highest Risk Level

Several cases of yogurt-covered pretzels have been recalled due to fears they could be contaminated with salmonella.A recall of the product was first announced by the company on May 10, but on June 12 it was classified as a Class 1 recall, which is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s most serious level.The FDA has issued more than 500 Class 1 recalls this year. This level of classification indicates that there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product could cause serious adverse health consequences or death.The FDA said that the yogurt coating might be infected with salmonella, which can cause diarrhea, vomiting and fever. It can be deadly for young children, frail or elderly people and those with weakened immune systems, the agency said.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that salmonella causes 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations and 420 deaths in the United States every year.The FDA noted in its initial recall that no illnesses had been reported. It isn’t clear if that has changed.The pretzels, distributed by the wholesaler Western Mixers Produce & Nuts, Inc. of Ontario, California, had been distributed throughout the state through Thorp Fruit, Down Home Goods, Smart & Final and Gelson’s retail stores, the FDA said.The agency encouraged anyone in possession of the product to “kindly discard it.”Newsweek reached out to Western Mixers Produce & Nuts, Inc. via email outside of regular working hours.A product recall is a voluntary action taken by a manufacturer. The recall was first made after a routine sampling found some of the yogurt coating had been contaminated.The pretzels are no longer being produced and distributed while the FDA and the company investigate the cause of the problem.In May, the FDA also recalled a series of sweet treats made by Palmer Candy Company due to fears of salmonella contamination, which included pretzels and cookies.The FDA also on Tuesday updated a recall of baby formula to a Class 1 classification.Medical devices and food are the products most likely to have a recall classified at the most severe level, according to the FDA’s website. Drug products and veterinary products have also had some Class 1 recalls.Despite the high number of recalls this year, consumers can rest assured that the number of recalled products does not appear to be on the rise, as there were more than 700 Class 1 recalls through May in 2023, according to data from the FDA.