Check your pantry, because Quaker Oats just issued a massive recall on dozens of products

The Quaker Oats Company has issued a recall on dozens of its granola-based products, including granola bars and cereal, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) noting that they might contain salmonella. So far, there have been no reports of illness or injury, but the company is advising consumers to check their pantries for any potentially impacted products and to dispose of them accordingly. Shoppers might also qualify for reimbursement on select items, including varieties of Chewy bars, granola cereal, and mixed snack packs that contain Quaker Oats products.

These potentially impacted products have been sold throughout the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, and Saipan, and a full product list can be found here. Consumers should check the UPC code on any items they have on hand, but when in doubt, it’s never a bad idea to toss them just in case. 

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,” says the FDA. “Healthy persons infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis.” 

Symptoms typically appear within 72 hours of consuming contaminated food items, and can be serious enough to require hospitalization. Basically, it’s nothing to mess with, which is why tossing any questionable products is your best bet to keep your household safe from potential illness.
Products not listed in the recall should be safe, but consumers are encouraged to contact Quaker Consumer Relations (9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CST, Mon.-Fri.) at 1-800-492-9322 or online with any questions or concerns.