Salmonella bacteria can produce a number of unpleasant symptoms among those infected with it. For this reason, many California residents are careful to keep their kitchens clean and make sure that certain raw food products do not touch each other. Likewise, companies who produce food related products must take care to ensure that their products are free of salmonella bacteria to avoid consumer protection problems.
Powdered milk is a component of many food items. Rather than producing powdered milk themselves, many food producers purchase powdered milk from a distributor and then use this ingredient in their final product. In purchasing ingredients from another company, the food producer must rely on the other company to adhere to food safety standards.
Recently, Valley Milk Products LLC was found to have produced powdered milk products tainted with salmonella. Furthermore, the FDA discovered that this contamination was a known fact within the company. These contaminated products were then sold to other companies who produced food products. Food items with a possible contamination include Great-Value Macaroni & Cheese and a variety of potato chips, tortilla chips and bread mix.
The food companies who purchased the contaminated powdered milk have issued a product recall. Although salmonella typically does not require specific medical treatment, there are instances when it does cause symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization. Additionally, those with a weakened immune system may suffer more severe symptoms.
If a California resident becomes ill as the result of contaminated food products, it is likely that a financial and/or medical hardship will result. Companies have a responsibility to produce products free from contaminants such as salmonella. If a company is found to have violated these consumer protection standards, it is possible that the affected individual may be able to pursue a legal solution to the problem.
Source: foodsafetynews.com, “Great Value, other mac & cheese brands recalled for Salmonella“, Dec. 11, 2016