Here are salmonella warnings and recalls impacting Tennessee

Michael Curtis
The Tennessean
The Centers for Disease and Control issued a warning about backyard chickens after more than 200 cases of salmonella infections were linked to contact with live poultry in backyard flocks.

The latest national salmonella warning involves backyard chickens  after more than 200 infections were linked to contact with live poultry, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The bacteria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems.

Here's a brief recap of the outbreaks, warnings and product recalls impacting Tennessee, including a list of alternatives to snack brands that have been affected by salmonella.

Check back here for continuing coverage. 

Fruit, cereal in Tennessee linked to salmonella infection

The CDC warned in June that salmonella may be found in pre-cut melons and a popular children's cereal sold in Tennessee.

In Tennessee, the possibly affected fruit was sold at Sprouts Farmers Markets locations at:

  • 1010 Murfreesboro Road in Franklin
  • 3150 Village Shops Drive in Germantown
  • 9050 Highway 64 in Lakeland
  • 576 S. Perkins in Memphis
  • 143 Wendelwood Drive in Murfreesboro
  • 7620 Highway 70 S in Nashville

The melons also were sold at a Gordon Foods store at 317 Bluebird Drive in Goodlettsville.

Health officials identified 70 cases of illness related to the outbreak in Tennessee, Kentucky and five Midwestern states. None of those affected have died, though 34 people have been hospitalized.

And then 15.3-ounce and 23-ounce packages of Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal were recalled on July 13, after the CDC linked it with a salmonella outbreak that sickened 73 people in 31 states, including one person in Tennessee. 

FRUIT AND CEREAL WARNING:Pre-cut melons sold at Sprouts, Gordon Foods in Tennessee linked to salmonella outbreak

Ritz Crackers recalled over potential presence of salmonella

A voluntary national recall of some varieties of Ritz Crackerswas announced July 22 after it was discovered of an ingredient used was possibly contaminated with salmonella.

The recall affects: 

  • Ritz Bits Cheese
  • Ritz Cheese Cracker Sandwiches
  • Ritz Bacon Cracker Sandwiches with Cheese
  • Ritz Whole Wheat Cracker Sandwiches with White Cheddar Cheese
  • Ritz Everything Cracker Sandwiches with Cream Cheese
  • Mixed Cookie variety

These products have expiration dates of January 14, 2019 to April 13, 2019.

Swiss Rolls sold and Food Lion, Walmart recalled

As a precautionary measure, Flowers Foods Inc., based in Thomasville, Georgia, is voluntarily recalling Swiss Rolls sold under various brand names due to the potential presence of salmonella in one of the snack's ingredients, whey powder.

The brand names include:

  • Mrs. Freshley's
  • Food Lion
  • H-E-B
  • Baker's Treat
  • Market Square 
  • Great Value (a brand sold at Walmart)

NATIONWIDE RECALL:Swiss Rolls sold at Food Lion, Walmart recalled due to salmonella concerns

4 types of Goldfish Crackers added to national recall list

Pepperidge Farms is recalling four types of Goldfish Crackers because there is a chance whey powder used in the seasonings contains salmonella, the company announced on July 23.

There have not been any reports of illnesses linked to the recall, but Pepperidge Farms said it is acting out of an abundance of caution.

The four types of crackers included in the recall are:

  • Flavor Blasted Xtra Cheddar
  • Flavor Blasted Sour Cream and Onion
  • Goldfish Baked with Whole Grain Xtra Cheddar
  • Goldfish Mix Xtra Cheddar + Pretzel

Products with different types of packaging are included in the recall. Click here for a complete chart of all the crackers and their packages.

Alternative snacks for those who fear Goldfish, Ritz salmonella scare

Goldfish and Ritz Crackers are popular snack brands among children, but they could also be dangerous. With possible salmonella contamination leading to national recalls, parents could choose to seek other options.

No one's gotten sick yet from eating the crackers yet, and Pepperidge Farm said the voluntary recall is "out of an abundance of caution."

Alternatives to Goldfish and Ritz include Annie's Homegrown Cheddar Bunnies, Cheez-It, Wheat Thins, Snyder's of Hanover Pretzels, Triscuit and Honey Made Graham Crackers.

SNACK ALTERNATIVE LIST:Goldfish and Ritz recall put you in a cracker void? Try these.