Recall Announcement  (ODA/ODH) 2002-35

September 11, 2002

Kellogg USA Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Eggs, Milk, Soybeans, or Almonds in Kellogg's® Cracklin' Oat Bran® and Kellogg's® Smart Start® Cereals

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. - September 10, 2002 -- Kellogg USA of Battle Creek, Mich., is recalling a limited number of Kellogg's® Cracklin' Oat Bran® cereal products because they may contain undeclared egg, milk or soybeans and a limited number of Kellogg's® Smart Start® cereal club store packs because they may contain undeclared almonds and milk. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to egg, milk, soybeans or almonds run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Affected by this recall are 327,400 packages of 17-ounce Kellogg's® Cracklin' Oat Bran® cereal with a UPC code of 38000 04530 and Better If Used Before Dates of JUN 19 2003, JUL 17 2003, JUL 18 2003, and JUL 19 2003 printed on the top of the package. These packages were distributed through retail grocery stores nationwide. 

Also affected by this recall are 22,176 club store packages of 41.03-ounce Kellogg's® Smart Start® cereal with a UPC code of 38000 71550 and a Better If Used Before Date beginning May 09 2003 KNC printed on the top of the package. These packages were distributed through Costco and BJ's Club Warehouse stores nationwide.

No illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported to date in connection with these problems.

These recalls were initiated after investigation of consumer complaints revealed that products containing the listed allergens were mixed in with products which do not contain these allergens. Subsequent investigation indicates that the problems were caused by a temporary breakdown in the manufacturing facility production and packaging processes which only affected the specific Better If Used Before dates indicated above.

Consumers who have purchased packages of 17-ounce Kellogg's® Cracklin' Oat Bran® cereal with a UPC code of 38000 04530 and Better If Used Before Dates of JUN 19 2003, JUL 17 2003, JUL 18 2003, and JUL 19 2003 or club store packages of 41.03-ounce Kellogg's® Smart Start® cereal with a UPC code of 38000 71550 and a Better If Used Before Date of May 09 2003 KNC can contact Kellogg Consumer Affairs at 800-527-1557 for further information and instructions.