CDC: 'Do Not Eat' Honey Smacks As Salmonella Cases Rise In NJ, US

As a Salmonella outbreak linked to a popular breakfast cereal continues to spread, federal health officials are now warning the public to not eat any part of a popular cereal whatsoever, regardless of the best-by date or packaging size. Four people have been sickened in New Jersey.

The CDC, which in June announced the recall of Kellogg’s Honey Smacks, has issued a dire warning against consuming the cereal after 100 people nationwide have become ill. "Do not eat this cereal," the CDC tweeted.

Further information provided by the CDC in an outbreak report says people should not eat any Honey Smacks cereal, regardless of package size or best-by date. "Check your home for it and throw it away, or return it to the place of purchase for a refund," the CDC said.

The outbreak has now sickened 100 people in 33 states, according to CDC data. The most infections have so far been reported in New York, where 11 people have fallen ill. In New Jersey, the number of cases has increased by 1 over the past month.

Thirty people have been hospitalized due to the illness. There have been no deaths as of July 13, according to information from the CDC.

Other states impacted by the outbreak include California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Texas and beyond.

Retailers should not be selling or serving the cereal, and the CDC warns any trace of the product should be tossed. "Even if some of the cereal has been eaten and no one got sick, throw the rest of it away or return it for a refund," the CDC said.

Any reusable containers that may have once held the cereal should be thoroughly washed with soapy water to "remove harmful germs."

The cereal looks like this:

The packaging looks like this:

Illnesses began in early March and have been reported through July 2, the CDC said. Some illnesses may not yet be reflected in the data.

In June, when the recall was announced, the CDC had determined the breakfast cereal was linked to the outbreak after a series of interviews with infected people.

Consuming products contaminated with salmonella can result in serious illness, health experts warn. It can also produce serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems.

Healthy individuals infected with salmonella can suffer fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, it can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.

Images via CDC