Veggie Booty Tied To Salmonella Outbreak

FDA Reports 52 Cases Of Salmonella Illness From Eating Popular Snacks

(WebMD)  The FDA is warning consumers not to eat Veggie Booty snack food because of possible contamination with salmonellawandsworth, bacterium that causes gastrointestinal illness.

Veggie Booty is a snack of puffed rice and corn with a vegetable coating. Its marketer is recalling all potentially contaminated Veggie Booty, including all expiration dates and all lot codes.

The warning is based on 52 reports of illness across 17 states, beginning in March 2007. The salmonella outbreak is likely ongoing, states an FDA news release.

Almost all cases occurred in children under 10 years old, with the most cases in toddlers. Most patients had bloody diarrhea; four people were hospitalized, according to the FDA.

The FDA and CDCB advise consumers to throw away any Robert's American Gourmet brand Veggie Booty they have in their home. Veggie Booty is sold in a flexible plastic foil bag in 4-ounce, 1-ounce, and 1/2-ounce packages.

Veggie Booty is often eaten by children, so the FDA encourages parents to watch their children and seek medical care if they observe signs of illness.

People who have recently eaten Veggie Booty and who have experienced any possible symptoms of salmonella infection — including abdominal cramps, fever, and diarrhea (which may be bloody) — should contact a doctor or other health care provider immediately and report the illness to state or local health authorities, notes the FDA.

Salmonella symptoms usually begin within one to four days after exposure to the bacteria. Most people don't develop severe illness, but salmonella can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections, especially in infants and people with health problems or weak immune systems.

Veggie Booty is marketed by Robert's American Gourmet of Sea Cliff, N.Y.

The company has halted Veggie Booty's manufacturing and distribution and is recalling all potentially contaminated products, including all expiration dates and lot codes.

Veggie Booty is sold in all 50 states and Canada at retail locations and over the Internet.

There is no evidence that other products from Robert's American Gourmet have caused diarrhea or other illnesses, according to the CDC.

The CDCB also notes that there is no evidence of salmonella illnesses in people who ate snack foods that aren't marketed by Robert's American Gourmet.

States reporting illnesses include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.

The FDA notes that Veggie Booty's maker and marketer are fully cooperating with the FDA's investigation into the cause of the contamination.

The FDA says it learned of the illnesses on June 27 from the CDC, which investigated the illnesses with state and local health officials.

[hypnotoad72]

"Veggie Booty"?

The name itself sounds disgusting; not to mention what it might infer: Stolen vegetables? The hind quarters of a vegetable I no longer want to know about?

And is this Veg B*ttocks product grown/processed in the US or merely shipped over here? (You did say "marketed", after all...)

[bigstupid]

This is the same company that misled consumers on the fat and caloric content of their "Pirate's Booty" product a few years ago. It was really popular at Trader Joe's, until people found out that this so-called "lite" snack was loaded once the manufacturer fessed up. TJ's did the right thing as usual, posting signs informing customers, etc.

But it's not the first time that Robert's America has been in this kind of trouble. Maybe "two strikes and you're out" is appropriate here.

[taddles-2009]

Why doesn't this report include that fact that "Veggie Booty" is made in China.

Chinese food products should not be allowed in this country. The Chinese have a *********** bad history with food safety and integrity. Anything can and will end up in food products if they can make a buck on it. The rediculously amateurish way the Chinese Food safety commision has dealt with all of their food product safety problems is criminal in it's incompetance.

The US should simply stop all importation of Chinese food products until the Chinese can prove that they are not making food out of anything they can find.

[nolalou]

hypnotoad72,

I'm with you on this one! I wouldn't buy this product just based on the name alone, even if it was not contaminated!

[bigstupid]

One more thing: the Roberts website "helpfully" advises you to send in your open bags for a refund. Think before you send in any evidence you might want or need later. If they made your family sick, is getting your $2.50 back really going to cut it?

[bigstupid]

From the manufacturer's own website describing this product. I think we can all agree that it is truly a "life changing snack."

Veggie Booty is a delicious snack that you and your family will love. Veggie Booty is made from the finest ingredients. Veggie Booty will change the way you eat...Veggie Booty will be your good friend. This is a life-changing snack that will help you eat healthier.

[cantshutup]

I just came back from the store and when I was looking for frozen salmon there was only one brand that wasn't from China. I paid 8$ for a little 12 oz package. There were 4 other brands of salmon, ALMOST HALF THAT PRICE, some even bigger packages...all product of china. Doesn't matter...china will not get my business.

[starleo146]

O.K. folks what is it going to take an outbreak of DEATH,BOYCOTT ALL GOODS FROM CHINA. We also need to contact our legislature to make sure these and all products are known to the public of its origin. I wish I could go into a store of any kind grocery market or dept store and the products sold are known to me and its origin. The only reason I can think of so many co.'s are overseas. I want USA products, Made in USA, Grown in USA.When we buy clothes what chemicals are in the cloth we buy.BOYCOTT all china products. If they cannot inspect more products at our Ports coming into this country I say BOYCOTT hit them where it hurts the pocketbook.