AMPI Recalls Dry Whey Powder Amid Salmonella Concerns

New Ulm, MN-based Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) issued a recall for its dry whey powder amid concerns that several packaged lots are contaminated with salmonella, the company announced through an U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) press release Wednesday.

The company said the impacted products are 50-lb and 25-kg bags that were produced at AMPI’s dry whey plant in Blair, WI from May 1-5, 2018; May 24-29, 2018; June 2-5, 2018; and June 7-14, 2018. AMPI dry whey powder is not sold directly to consumers, but is used as an ingredient in a number of foods. It is sold directly to manufacturers and also distributed by brokers. A limited amount was sold for animal feed.

A number of products that use the whey powder have been recently recalled, including Ritz Cracker Sandwiches produced by Mondelez and Goldfish Crackers made by Pepperidge Farm. 

“We are recalling this product as a precautionary measure and in keeping with our commitment to the best interests of our customers and consumers, and in line with the Food Safety Modernization Act and FDA requirements,” the company said in the FDA release. “We will continue to work cooperatively with the FDA to provide products that meet our customers’ requirements, meet government food safety standards, and provide the nutritious benefits of dairy products to customers throughout the United States.”

The products included in the recall can be identified by the following lot numbers, which can be found printed along the top of the bag. Images of the bags can be found below.

·      7000.118.121.BL – 7000.118.125.BL
·      7000.118.144.BL – 7000.118.149.BL
·      7000.118.153.BL – 7000.118.156.BL
·      7000.118.158.BL – 7000.118.165.BL

All products shipped into the marketplace tested negative for salmonella as part of AMPI’s routine testing program. However, because additional product tested positive for salmonella under AMPI’s routine test and hold procedures, the company is recalling product as a precautionary measure. AMPI halted production at its Wisconsin plant and is looking into the cause of the salmonella found in the samples.

All customers that have received the dry whey powder lots have been notified by AMPI and instructed to return the recalled powder, or to document the destruction of the powder, after contacting AMPI for specific instructions.

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