Dangerous Sweets: Deadly Bacteria Contamination Prompts US FDA To Recall More Popular Candies

(Photo : Pixabay / Kinseykich)

Various popular sweets in California have been recalled by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to looming concerns regarding deadly bacteria contamination.

FDA Recalls Popular Candies

Yogurt Covered Pretzels that are sold in several regional stores, including Smart and Final, Thorp Fruit, Down Home Goods, and Gelson's, are believed to carry salmonella traces. These potentially dangerous sweets are produced by First Street and the stores themselves. The announcement was made by the Western Mixers Produce & Nuts.

There have not been any reported illnesses so far.

Such announcement comes a couple of days after Palmer Candy Company, which is based in Iowa, recalled their White Coated Confectionery Items urgently due to the risk of salmonella.

The pretzels are coated with sweet yogurt that has a white appearance. They are also packed inside clear tubs.

The firm heard of the risk following a routine sampling program done by the supplier of the yogurt coating. The process revealed that salmonella bacteria was present in the finished products.

With this, health officials urge those who purchased the affected items to completely discard them.

ALSO READ: Salmonella Outbreaks Across US, Canada Found To Be Linked to Pet Food

Salmonella Bacteria

Salmonella is a foodborne deadly bacteria. Its resulting condition can be caused by the consumption of food that has been contaminated with the feces of animals. It typically results in fever, diarrhea, and stomach cramps that start six hours to six days post-infection. Also known as salmonellosis, this is actually the US' most common bacterial food poisoning form.

There are cases when diarrhea due to the infection could lead to grave dehydration and require immediate medical attention. If the infection goes beyond the intestines, it could end up causing life-threatening complications.

Food that has been contaminated with the bacteria tends to smell, taste, and look normal. Because of this, it is crucial to know more about preventing infection.

While the bacteria is mainly foodborne, it can also spread through other people, animals, the environment, and contaminated water. Even animals and pets in fairs, farms, petting zoos, daycares, and schools could be carrying bacteria and other harmful pathogens.

Some people have a higher risk of contracting the infection. Some risk factors include working or living with high-risk animals, taking antacids, recent consumption of antibiotics, having inflammatory bowel disease, and being under five years of age. Risk of contracting the infection is also higher when one travels to countries that do not have proper disposal of sewage and clean drinking water.

There are also other factors that put a person at higher risk of having severe illness due to the infection. These include being under 12 months of age or over 65 years of age, having an immunocompromised system, and having sickle cell disease.

As for prevalence, more than a million individuals in the US alone get the bacteria each year. Among these, 26,500 get hospitalized, while 420 people end up dying due to the infection.