The Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota reports revised numbers in the Malt-O-Meal salmonella outbreak.   The Food & Drug Administration originally said the outbreak involved 23 cases in 14 states.  Yesterday (4/15), FDA said the correct numbers were 21 cases in 13 states.

CIDRAP News reports the outbreak involves the same uncommon strain, Salmonella enterica serotype Agona, that caused an outbreak 10 years ago that was linked to toasted oats cereal produced at Malt-O-Meal’s Northfield, Minn., plant.

The recall includes unsweetened puffed rice and puffed wheat cereals that were distributed nationally under the Malt-O-Meal label, as well as several other private-label brands such as Acme, America’s Choice, Food Club, Giant, Hannaford, Jewell, Laura Lynn, Pathmark, Shaw’s, ShopRite, Tops, and Weis Quality. The products have "best if used by" dates that range from Apr 8, 2008, to Mar 18, 2009.

Malt-O-Meal said in an Apr 11 press release that routine sampling revealed Salmonella on a product that was produced on Mar 24, and a follow-up investigation determined additional products may have been exposed to the pathogen.