Yesterday’s kettle-chip recall is growing almost exponentially, as seven more products are being pulled from shelves due to a common milk-product ingredient that may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The Kane County Health Department is advising that several firms have begun voluntary recalls of their products because of an ingredient common to all the products: milk powder produced by Valley Milk Products of Strasburg, VA.

No illnesses or adverse health effects resulting from these events have been reported to date. However, many of the products are widely available as they were distributed nationwide. A list of the products that obtained the potentially contaminated ingredient from Valley Milk Products includes:

• Shearer’s Foods, LLC — kettle chips, potato chips, and nacho chips
• Deep River Snacks — kettle chips
• Boulder Brands, Inc. – macaroni and cheese
• TreeHouse Foods, Inc. — macaroni and cheese
• New Hope Mills — crepe mix
• Fourth Street Barbecue Inc. — macaroni and cheese
• Brand Castle, LLC — monkey bread mix

It is possible more products may be added to the list. For a full, up-to-date list of products affected by these recalls, please refer to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recall website www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls.

Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps and most individuals recover without treatment. In some cases, diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

Consumers who have purchased this product should discontinue use and return it to the retailer for a full refund. Consumers with further questions are encouraged to contact the manufacturer. Contact information is available on the FDA web site.

SOURCE: Kane County Health Department