Boxed cake mix is something nearly every American household has in their cupboards.
It's the perfect dessert to have on standby for a special occasion or if you're too lazy to make cake from scratch.
If you think you have a box or a few in your kitchen cabinet or pantry right now, it's time to take a good look at them.
According to a November 5 update on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's website, a few of your favorite cake mixes may contain salmonella.
Salmonella is a bacteria that causes food poisoning, and symptoms usually start 12 to 72 hours after a person eats contaminated food.
Diarrhea, cramps, fever that spans several days, nausea, bloody stools, chills, headache, and vomiting can occur when infected by the illness.
In extreme cases, salmonella poisoning may infect your body's tissues, which can lead to serious diseases.
Health officials reported that they're working with Conagra Brands after finding salmonella in a retail sample of Duncan Hines Classic White cake mix.
The company has issued a voluntary recall of their classic mix, along with three other flavors that were made during the same time period: Classic Butter Golden, Signature Confetti, and Classic Yellow.
"Five occurrences of illnesses due to Salmonella are being researched by CDC and FDA as part of this investigation," the FDA's statement reads.
"Several of the individuals reported consuming a cake mix at some point prior to becoming ill, and some may have also consumed these products raw and not baked."
Here are the products impacted by this recall:
- Duncan Hines Classic White Cake 15.25 oz. (Product UPC: 644209307500) with a best before date of March 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, or 13 of 2019.
- Duncan Hines Classic Yellow Cake 15.25 oz. (Product UPC: 644209307494) with a best before date of March 9, 10, 12, or 13 of 2019.
- Duncan Hines Classic Butter Golden Cake 15.25 oz. (Product UPC: 644209307593) with a best before date of March 7, 8, or 9 of 2019.
- Duncan Hines Signature Confetti Cake 15.25 oz. (Product UPC: 644209414550) with a best before date of March 12 or 13 of 2019.
What you should do now
The FDA is urging people to not consume any raw batter, to follow baking instructions, and to wash their hands, kitchen surfaces, and utensils thoroughly after contact with any raw batter.
If you have this product, throw it out or return them to the store.
If you have any questions, call the FDA's consumer care team at 1-888-299-7646 or visit www.duncanhines.com.
[H/T: WGNTV]