New Ulm Company's Whey Recalled Amid Salmonella Outbreaks
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Salmonella recalls have largely involved fresh vegetables or uncooked meat in the past. But this summer, it is impacting packaged foods that are popular with kids.
Some varieties of Goldfish, Ritz crackers, Swiss Rolls, and even Hungry Man frozen dinners have all been recalled in recent weeks -- and the culprit may be one product made by a Minnesota company.
New-Ulm based Associated Milk Producers Incorporate, or AMPI, is recalling dry whey powder produced between May and mid-June over salmonella concerns.
The powder is made at the company's factory in Blair, Wisconsin.
The bacteria can make its way into packaged foods that are made with the powder.
Read More: Are Salmonella Outbreaks Becoming More Common?
"Whey is a byproduct of cheese manufacturing," said Dr. Craig Hedberg of the University of Minnesota's School of Public Health. "If you have a dairy product that is coming from a natural source, there is an opportunity for that to be contaminated with salmonella."
The whey powder is not sold directly to customers, but it is to food manufacturers that use it as an ingredient in a variety of snacks.
Although they will not disclose what companies use their whey powder, AMPI claims they are "working closely with affected customers to ensure that recalled product is appropriately returned to us and/or destroyed."
So far, no illnesses have been linked to the recall.
More information on the specific food varieties impacted by the recall can be found in the links below: