FDA Issues Statement on Whey Powder-Related RecallsFDA Issues Statement on Whey Powder-Related Recalls

After several voluntary recalls were issued in recent days for food products possibly tainted with Salmonella, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb M.D. issued a statement Tuesday offering details on the agency’s efforts with the impacted companies to investigate the potential contamination. 

On July 21, Mondelez International voluntarily recalled several varieties of Ritz Cracker Sandwiches and Ritz Bits sold in the U.S. and several of its territories over Salmonella concerns. Flower Foods and Pepperidge Farm have issued similar recalls in the past several days. 

“We believe these products may contain a common whey ingredient supplied by Associated Milk Producers Inc., that may have been contaminated with Salmonella. As there are likely other food products made by other manufacturers that also use this common ingredient, there may be other recalls initiated in the coming days.,” said Commissioner Gottlieb. “We are also aware that our partners at the U.S. Department of Agriculture are working with Pinnacle Foods Inc. on a public health alert regarding certain Hungry Man products that may also contain this ingredient.”

While there have been no reported illnesses yet linked to the products, the FDA said the recalls were initiated out of caution and that the agency is investigating the risk posed by the ingredient. The FDA said it is actively working with Mondelez, Pepperidge Farm, and Flowers Foods Inc. on the recalls. 

“We know that these are products that are widely eaten by consumers, including children. That’s, in part, why we are taking steps to intervene early on this potential risk, and why we will be communicating regularly with the public to provide information and updates on this issue,” Commissioner Gottlieb stated. 

Based in Minnesota, Associated Milk Producers Inc. is a farmer-owned cooperative that produces a range of powdered whey products used as an ingredient in a variety of foods, according to the firm’s website.

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