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Tainted Veggie Booty Snack Food

FDA confirmed on July 13, 2007, that a strain of Salmonella Wandsworth bacteria found in Veggie Booty Snack food is responsible for the disease outbreak that occurred between March and June 2007.

Laboratory testing conducted by the Minnesota Agricultural Lab previously confirmed initial evidence that implicated Veggie Booty snack food as the source of the outbreak. FDA's own testing further confirmed it.

FDA warned consumers in late June not to eat Veggie Booty snack food, marketed by Robert's American Gourmet of Sea Cliff, N.Y., due to possible contamination with Salmonella Wandsworth bacteria that cause gastrointestinal illness. The warning was based on 52 reports of illness across 17 states.

As of July 13, 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified 60 people, mostly toddlers, from 19 states who have become ill. Five people were hospitalized.  No deaths have been reported.

Preliminary testing suggests that the seasoning mix used in Veggie Booty may be the source of the contamination, and FDA is working to make a final determination.

Snack Foods Recalled

The manufacturer began recalling Veggie Booty snack food on June 28. The company has also voluntarily recalled all lots and sizes of Super Veggie Tings Crunchy Corn Sticks snack food, because the same potentially contaminated seasoning may have been used in that product, as well.

The products are sold individually in stores as well as contained in some gift baskets sold on the Internet.

Symptoms of Salmonella Illness

Salmonella typically causes diarrhea (may be bloody), often accompanied by abdominal cramps and fever.  Symptoms typically begin within one to four days after exposure to the bacteria.  In infants and people with poor health and those with weakened immune systems, Salmonella can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections.

Advice for Consumers:

• Do not eat any Veggie Booty product—throw away any that you have.
• Do not eat Super Veggie Tings Crunchy Corn Sticks, which may be contaminated--throw away any product that you have.
• If you have recently eaten Veggie Booty or Super Veggie Tings Crunch Corn Sticks and have experienced any of the above symptoms of Salmonella illness, immediately contact a doctor or other health care provider.
• Watch children and seek medical care if you see signs of illness. Veggie Booty and Super Veggie Tings Crunchy Corn Sticks are often consumed by children.
• Report any such illnesses in people with a recent history of eating Veggie Booty to state or local health authorities.

States reporting illnesses: California (7 cases), Colorado (5), Connecticut (2),  Georgia (1), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Massachusetts (4), Minnesota (2), New Hampshire (2), New Jersey (2), New York (15 cases), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (4), Tennessee (1), Texas (2), Vermont (3), Virginia (1), Washington (4), and Wisconsin (2)

FDA Press Release (June 28, 2007)

FDA Press Release (July 13, 2007)

Date Posted: July 16, 2007

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