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DHSS Press Release

Rita Landgraf, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Pager 302-357-7498
Email: jill.fredel@delaware.gov

Date: December 29, 2016
DHSS-12-2016

DELAWARE IMPACTED BY FOOD RECALL, PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISING CONSUMER CAUTION

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is advising Delawareans of a voluntary recall of certain House-Autry biscuit and cornbread mixes that were shipped to Food Lion and Harris Teeter grocery stores in all three counties. House-Autry Mills, Inc. is voluntarily recalling limited quantities of House-Autry Buttermilk Cornbread Mix, House-Autry Buttermilk Biscuit Mix, and House-Autry Cheese Biscuit Mix as a precaution because one of the company's third-party ingredient suppliers, Franklin Farms, had purchased milk powder from Valley Milk Products, Inc. This milk powder is potentially contaminated with Salmonella.

DPH through its Office of Food Protection, has confirmed that all recalled products have been pulled from shelves in both grocery store chains locally. However, store managers are unable to confirm if any of the product had been purchased.

At this time, there are no illnesses associated with these products in Delaware. Out of an abundance of caution, DPH is encouraging consumers to check their pantries for these products, and to discard or return them to the store where they were purchased. The recalled UPC codes and better if used by dates of the affected products are:

House-Autry Buttermilk Cornbread Mix - 8 oz. box 0 73484-15500 9 Best By 06/28/17 096216 (located on the top fold) - Best By 07/19/17 097106 (located on the top fold)
House-Autry Buttermilk Biscuit Mix - 8 oz. box 0 73484-15510 8 Best By 05/18/17 094782 (located on the top fold) - Best By 07/19/17 097105 (located on the top fold)
House-Autry Cheese Biscuit Mix - 8 oz. box 0 73484-15512 2 Best By 08/03/17 097754 (located on the top fold)

The products were shipped to Food Lion stores in Bear, Bridgeville, Claymont, Delmar, Dover, Harrington, Laurel, Middletown, Milford, Millsboro, Milton, New Castle, Newark, Seaford, Selbyville, Smyrna, and Wilmington; and to the Harris Teeter stores in Millsboro and Selbyville.

FDA inspections found that quantities of Valley Milk Products' bulk milk powder contained Salmonella. According to Franklin Farms, testing has proved that no pathogenic bacteria have been found in the powdered milk product supplied to House-Autry Mills, and in addition, when consumers follow the preparation instructions, there is no risk because the heat kills potential salmonella. However, it is out of an abundance of caution the company has decided to recall products produced from the specific lot received from that ingredient supplier.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to discontinue use and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company by calling 800-849-0802, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST daily, or by emailing Retail@House-Autry.com.

Salmonella is one of the most common causes of food poisoning in the United States. This organism can elicit serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare cases, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (e.g., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. Salmonella is killed by cooking and pasteurization.

Symptoms may appear six hours to three days after exposure, but generally within 12-36 hours.

Most people with symptoms of Salmonella recover on their own. Some people may require fluids to prevent dehydration. If you or a member of your family has consumed (or believe that you have consumed) one of the recalled products and are experiencing dehydration, seek medical attention.

For any questions regarding illness, contact your health care provider. For medical providers to report suspected cases of Salmonella associated with consumption of the recalled food, call the DPH Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at 302-744-4990 or 24/7 at 888-295-5156.

The single most important way to prevent the spread of Salmonella is careful handwashing:

Before and after food preparation;
After using the toilet or changing diapers;
After handling domestic or wild animals, and pets such as reptiles, birds or baby chicks, dogs, cats and hamsters;
After contact with pet feces.

Additional Tips:

Thoroughly cook all food derived from animal sources. Do not eat or drink food containing raw eggs or raw (unpasteurized) milk.
Refrigerate foods promptly. Do not hold foods at room temperature any longer than necessary.
Wash cutting boards, utensils, and food preparation counters with soap and water immediately after use. Make sure that the correct internal cooking temperature is reached. The correct temperature is 160�F for beef and pork, and 180�F for poultry.
Prevent cross contamination. Never let raw meat and poultry, or their juices, come in contact with cooked meat or any other food, raw or cooked.

To see the recall, visit: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm534295.htm?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person's spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

DELAWARE IMPACTED BY FOOD RECALL, PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISING CONSUMER CAUTION

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