Grocery stores in California and several other states recently announced that they would be recalling certain snack items, including chocolate-covered pretzels, due to the risk of Salmonella contamination.

The product recall includes snacks manufactured by Palmer Candy Co. The problem, said federal health officials, is that the manufacturing process relied on powdered milk from Valley Milk Products LLC. That powdered milk ingredient was found be contaminated during a health inspection of the company’s production facility in Virginia, which has prompted a number of other product recalls by various food companies across the United States. (Making matters worse: federal health officials reportedly found documents indicating that Valley Milk knew about the Salmonella contamination and did not take immediate action to correct the problem.)

The latest food item recall affects chocolate-covered snacks sold by six different grocery chains with hundreds of stores across the US, including grocery stores in California. It may be difficult for consumers to spot the recalled items on shelves because they are not always packaged under the Palmer label; some of the recalled snacks are in Hy-Vee containers.

Moreover, many of the recalled products have long shelf lives, which means that they could have potentially remained on shelves – and exposed consumers to serious illnesses – for a very long time absent a recall. This is one reason why it is particularly important that consumers check their own kitchen cupboards, shelves, and refrigerators and make sure that no one in their household is exposed to the contaminated food products.

Potentially Deadly Health Consequences of Salmonella Infection

Hy-Vee grocery stores in eight states have recalled the affected snack items, while Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions, and Lucky grocery stores in Southern California have recalled candy platters that include chocolate-covered pretzels. Anyone who bought the recalled food products can return them to their local store and get a full refund on the purchase price.

The risk to the health of consumers of the recalled food items is serious. Exposure to Salmonella can lead to nausea, vomiting, and severe headaches. Salmonella can even be deadly for young kids, pregnant women, or seniors. That’s why consumers who have been exposed to the contaminated chocolate items should consult with a qualified doctor and undergo a medical examination.

At this time, the product recall is being issued voluntarily. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is involved in the recall and is providing assistance to the manufacturer. Additionally, consumers should keep in mind that retailers rarely make these kinds of decisions out of concern for the welfare of customers. Instead, companies are typically driven by profits and the fear of liability in costly personal injury lawsuits. That’s why one of the best ways to hold businesses accountable for their failures is to hire an aggressive product liability attorney and look into the possibility of filing a personal injury lawsuit against a company that negligently designs, manufactures, or distributes a defective product or contaminated food item.

If you suffered an illness as a result of consuming a defective or contaminated food product, you need to speak with a personal injury lawyer immediately. At The Paris Firm, we can help. Contact The Paris Firm now to schedule a free initial consultation.