A voluntary recall of white-coated pretzels and other snack foods from Palmer Candy has been upgraded by the FDA because contact with the products can cause serious illness or death.
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USA TODAY
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has upgraded the recall of about two dozen candies and snacks from retail chains such as Target and Walmart to the highest level due to health risks.
Shoppers should check their pantries because some of the products – recalled due to possible salmonella contamination – have a best-before date of April 2025. The candy and snacks sold by Palmer Candy Co. of Sioux City, Iowa, were recalled on May 6 because the white sugar coatings on the pretzels, cookies and other snacks could be contaminated, according to the FDA.
The products were distributed nationwide at Dollar General, HyVee, Target and Walmart stores and to wholesalers in Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming, the FDA said.
USA TODAY Recall Database: Search for vehicle, product and food recalls
FDA: Palmer Candy recall classified as “serious”
Last week, the FDA upgraded the recall of Palmer Candy products to a Level I because “there is a reasonable probability that use of or contact with a violating product will cause serious health consequences or death,” according to the agency’s definition. The recall update was first reported on the Consumer Affairs website.
Lower ratings are given if, according to the FDA, a product can cause “temporary or medically reversible adverse health effects” (Class II) or if the product is unlikely to “cause adverse health effects” (Class III).
At the time of the original recall, Marty Palmer, CEO of Palmer Candy, said production of the products had been halted pending the completion of the investigation.
“Even though the likelihood of contamination is very, very low, 99.9% is not 100% when it comes to food safety,” he told the Des Moines Register, part of the USA TODAY Network.
The potential problem concerned the milk powder supplied to the candy coating manufacturer.
“It was a supplier of a supplier,” Palmer said.
Recalled Palmer Candy products and best before dates
Consumers who purchased any of the recalled white coated candy are urged to return it to where they purchased it for a full refund. Here are the recalled products and their expiration dates:
Products Best before dates
- Caramel Swirl Pretzels 4oz 12/18/24-12/28/2024
- Caramel Swirl Pretzels 6oz 12/19/24, 12/20/24 and 1/19/25
- Classic Yoghurt Pretzels 28# 12/11/24 – 1/8/25
- Cookies & Cream Delicious Food 14# 06.12.24 – 23.01.25
- Drizzled Caramel Popcorn 5oz 22.1.25
- Drizzled Caramel Corn Snack Mix in Bowl, 12 oz, 1/22/25
- Wrapped Pretzel Sticks 8oz 22.01.25
- Favorite Day Bakery White Fudge Mini Cookies 7oz 4/4/25, 4/5/25, 4/15/25, 4/18/25
- Frosted Munchy Medley Bowl 15oz 1/3/25
- Frosted Patriot Frosted Pretzels 28# 1/2/25, 1/3/25
- Glazed Pretzels 6oz 23.1.25
- Munchy Medley 15# 12/14/24, 1/3/25
- Munchy Medley 4oz 12/25/24-12/28/24 and 1/19/25
- Munchy Medley 6oz 20.12.24
- Munchy Medley to go, 118 g, 12/25/24, 1/19/25
- Patriotic Munchy Medley Bowl 15oz 1/19/25
- Patriotic Pretzels 14oz 25.1.25, 26.1.25
- Patriotic Pretzels 6oz 1/19/25
- Patriotic Red White and Blue Pretzel Rolls 14oz 12/13/24 – 1/15/25
- Patriotic Snack Mix 13oz 1/19/25, 1/22/25 and 2/1/25
- Patriotic Snack Mix 7oz 04/23/25, 04/24/25
- Patriotic White Fudge Cookies 13.5 oz 4/22/25
- Peanut Butter Snack Mix 12oz 11/13/24 – 12/15/24
- Peanut butter snack mix to go, 125 g, 18.1.2018
- Snack with the crew! Mizzou Munchy Medley 7oz 12/18/24, 12/19/24
- Snacking with the crew! Tiger Treats 7oz 12/18/24, 12/19/24
- Star Snacks Chow Down 25# 12/6/24, 12/7/24
- Strawberry Yogurt Covered Pretzels 10oz 1/5/25, 1/23/25
- Sweet Smiles Yogurt Coated Pretzels 3.25 oz 12/18/24 – 1/4/25
- Vanilla Yogurt Covered Pretzels 10oz 12/18/24, 1/5/25, 1/22/25
- Yoghurt pretzel 14# 12/14/24 – 12/21/24
- Zebra Fudge Cookies 7oz 3/20/25-4/30/25
What are salmonella? And what are the symptoms of salmonella poisoning?
Salmonella is a bacteria that can enter the food production chain when people handling food do not wash their hands and the process is not sanitary, according to the FDA. It can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, according to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control.
Symptoms of salmonella poisoning can appear six hours to six days after infection and last four to seven days. Symptoms include:
- Bloody diarrhea or diarrhea that lasts more than three days without improvement
- Diarrhea and fever over 39 degrees Celsius
- Stomach cramps
- Severe vomiting, especially if it prevents you from keeping fluids down
- Signs of dehydration, including dry mouth and throat, infrequent urination, and dizziness when standing up
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