Kellogg plant halts production on listeria discovery

The food giant voluntarily halted production of Eggo waffles at its Atlanta facility after officials from the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) found Listeria monocytogenes in a food sample.

Investigation​

Kellogg has launched an investigation into plant hygiene to determine the cause of the contamination, said a GDA statement. The company will carry out a full regimen of cleaning and sanitisation and “execute its hygienic restoration plan”​ under supervision from the GDA before resuming production at the factory in Bucknell Drive.

The discovery was made after a laboratory test by the safety watchdog found the potentially deadly bug in a sample of Kellogg’s Buttermilk Eggo Waffles. The sample had been taken as part of a routine inspection.

The company confirmed that the potentially tainted waffles had been shipped out to retail outlets nationwide.

A Kellogg spokesperson told FoodProductionDaily.com: “No illnesses have been reported to date from any of the recalled products; Kellogg Company is taking this step out of an abundance of caution as a potential food safety issue was identified through routine testing. No other Eggo products are part of this recall. The recalled products were distributed to grocery stores across the United States​."

Recall​

The company confirmed it had issued a limited voluntary recall of the following products manufactured at the Atlanta site:

It confirmed the company had issued a limited recall of the following products manufactured at the Atlanta site:
* Kellogg's Eggo Cinnamon Toast waffles, 10-count package, UPC code 3800040440 with “Best If Used Before” dates beginning with: NOV22 10 EA, NOV23 10 EA and NOV24 10 EA.

* Kellogg’s Eggo Toaster Swirlz Cinnamon Roll Minis eight-count package, UPC code 3800023370 with a “Best If Used Before” date beginning with NOV15 10 EA.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a potentially serious disease. The most common manifestation of listeriosis is meningitis. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections to infants, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems such as persons with chronic diseases or taking chemotherapy for cancer.