Twinkies and Palmer Candy recall products due to possible Salmonella
They join more than 10 other companies that have issued recalls due to the issue.
US Marshals seized more than four million pounds of dry non-fat milk powder and buttermilk powder made by Valley Milk, which is owned by the Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) placed the powder under quarantine in August last year. In December, FDA took custody of it.
Valley Milk ceased powder production in late July and has not resumed yet with all seized products still on hold.
“We do not know how long the recall process will take to unfold. Valley Milk has notified all direct customers that received product under the recall. Our staff is working diligently with those direct customers to notify downstream customers of the recall,” the firm told us.
“We will continue to work cooperatively with the FDA to resolve this issue.”
The firm added no illnesses have been linked to products and tests by third parties have been negative for Salmonella.
Hostess and Palmer recalls
Hostess Brands recalled Holiday White Peppermint Hostess Twinkies because of action by Blommer Chocolate Company of the confectionery coating used.
The coating contains milk powder recalled by Valley Milk Products due to a concern of Salmonella contamination.
No illnesses have been reported and the coating has not tested positive for Salmonella.
They were sold in multipack boxes (9 individually wrapped cakes in a box) to mass merchandisers, grocery stores, distributors, dollar and discount and convenience stores throughout the US.
Palmer Candy Company issued a recall after it found out the milk powder used in a compound chocolate coating supplied to it could be contaminated.
The recall includes selected products made between October 20 and December 9 and shipped by Palmer Candy Company to grocery, convenience store and wholesale customers nationwide.
Affected products include a variety of candy sold to retailers under the Palmer Candy Company brand, private label chocolates for retail distribution and bulk products to retailers for repackaging.
Marty Palmer, president and CEO Palmer Candy Company, said: "We are truly sorry for any distress this recall causes to our retail customers and to consumers.
“We are taking this recall very seriously and truly appreciate the cooperation of our customers as we work to resolve this matter promptly."
A knock-on impact
Other recalls have come from Ron’s Home Style Foods, Brand Castle, Mikesell’s, Herr Foods, Dawn Food Products, Southeastern Mills, Poppies International, Old Dutch, Fourth street barbecue, Shearer’s Foods, House-Autry Mills, H-E-B and Bickel’s as they used the possibly contaminated powder.
Valley Milk Products recalled 50-pound bags of non-fat milk powder and sweet cream buttermilk powder produced from December 10, 2015 to July 5, 2016 in early December.
Confusion surrounded whether the firm refused to recall or not. The FDA said it did but the firm said it did not.
During an inspection from July to September last year, FDA investigators found what it called ‘poor sanitary practices’ and company records which showed positive results for Salmonella in the internal environmental and finished product samples.
Environmental swabs confirmed Salmonella meleagridis on surfaces food came into contact with after being pasteurized.
