How Did an Infant Get Salmonella from Kellogg’s Honey Smacks Cereal?

A Utah couple is saying that their 5-month-old son is the state’s only known person infected with salmonella in a nationwide outbreak tied to Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal. Understandably, they are trying to understand how it happened. According to a WRAL news report, Ashley Lyons, mother of 5-month-old Andy, says her son’s salmonella matched the outbreak for the Kellogg’s recall, which has her baffled.

The family had visited relatives who simply had the cereal at their house. No one else, however, experienced symptoms since and the Lyonses are trying to figure out how on earth their child became sick considering he doesn’t eat solids. Three months later, the child remains infected. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), so far, 100 people in 33 states have become sick from the outbreak. The agency issued a stark warning earlier this month to simply not eat this cereal.

Salmonella Risks

Most people who are infected with salmonella bacteria develop diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps about 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness typically lasts four to seven days and a majority of patients tend to recover without treatment. However, in some cases, the diarrhea may be so severe that patients may need to be hospitalized.

In these patients, the salmonella infection might spread from the intestines to the blood stream and then to other parts of the body. In such cases, unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics, their condition could become fatal. It is important to remember that the elderly, infants and those with compromised immune systems are more susceptible to have a severe illness.

Can Salmonella Be Prevented?

Here are a few tips that could help prevent salmonella infections:

• Cook poultry, ground beef and eggs thoroughly. Don’t eat or drink anything containing raw eggs or unpasteurized milk.
• If you are served undercooked meat, poultry or eggs in a restaurant, don’t hesitate to send it back for further cooking.
• Be sure to wash hands and kitchen surfaces with soap and water after they have come in contact with raw meat or poultry.
• Be careful particularly with foods prepared for infants, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.
• Do not work with raw poultry or meat or feed/change an infant at the same time.

Despite that many steps we take to protect ourselves, salmonellosis may still strike. If you have contracted an infection, you may be able to hold the food producer, manufacturer, distributor, server or even retailer for the injuries and damages caused. An experienced food poisoning lawyer can help you better understand your legal rights and options.

Source: https://www.wral.com/parents-say-5-month-old-got-salmonella-from-honey-smacks-cereal/17704959/