Product recall
Mondelēz recalls Ritz Cracker Sandwiches and Ritz Bits over salmonella fears
The announcement came shortly after Flower Foods recalled several brands of Swiss rolls and bread for the same reason. The bacteria found in Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal also caused 100 people across 33 US states to fall ill earlier this year.
Mondelēz noted this recall is limited exclusively to the following products, which are available at retail stores nationwide:
Description | Retail UPC | Best Used By Dates |
Ritz Bits Cheese Big Bag 3oz | 044000006778 | March 7 to April 13, 2019 |
Ritz Bits Cheese 3oz | 044000020255 | March 7 to April 13, 2019 |
Ritz Bits Cheese 12 pack carton | 044000020322 | March 8 to April 13, 2019 |
Ritz Bits Cheese 30 pack carton | 044000013097 | March 3 to April 13, 2019 |
Ritz Bits Cheese 1.5oz | 044000009298 | March 3 to April 13, 2019 |
Ritz Bits Cheese 3oz go packs | 044000032159 | March 7 to April 12, 2019 |
10.8oz Ritz Cheese Cracker Sandwiches | 044000882112 | January 14 to February 11, 2019 |
1.35oz Ritz Cheese Cracker Sandwiches | 044000002114 | January 14 to February 11, 2019 |
10.8oz Ritz Bacon Cracker Sandwiches with Cheese | 044000045661 | February 5 to February 6, 2019 |
1.35oz Ritz Bacon Cracker Sandwiches with Cheese | 044000045678 | February 5 to February 6, 2019 |
10.8oz Ritz Whole Wheat Cracker Sandwiches with White Cheddar Cheese | 044000045777 | February 4 to February 5, 2019 |
1.35oz Ritz Whole Wheat Cracker Sandwiches with White Cheddar Cheese | 044000045784 | February 4 to February 5, 2019 |
10.8oz Ritz Everything Cracker Sandwiches with Cream Cheese | 044000045791 | February 6 to February 7, 2019 |
1.35oz Ritz Everything Cracker Sandwiches with Cream Cheese | 044000045807 | February 6 to February 7, 2019 |
Mixed Cookie Cracker Variety 20 pack | 044000041007 | February 1 to February 4, 2019 |
Mixed Cookie Cracker Variety 40 pack | 044000042210 | January 31 to February 5, 2019 |
The company said it is conducting this recall as a precaution based on its ingredient supplier’s recall, and there have been no complaints of illness reported so far.
Mondelēz also encouraged its consumers to discard any of these products they may have.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people can develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps between 12 and 72 hours after they are infected by salmonella. The illness usually lasts four to seven days.
CDC estimated salmonella causes about 1.2 million illnesses, 23,000 hospitalizations and 450 deaths in the US every year. Food is the major source of the bacteria.
