Kellogg’s cereal is not to be trusted. Recently, an article titled “Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Popular Cereal” from CBS news surfaced on my computer screen. This article intrigued me because I have always eaten Kellogg’s cereal. I’ve always seen them as a very safe brand. After all, Kellogg’s cereal is sold everywhere. You can find their cereal in any supermarket. Once I saw an article that linked a multistate salmonella outbreak to Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal, I knew I had to read it.
In total, 130 cases throughout 36 states have surfaced regarding Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal. Salmonella is a very harmful bacteria that causes people to become sick with diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Although the majority of people recover from this illness within a week, sometimes the illness can last longer and become very severe. This severity rises with young children, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems. The outbreak was originally announced in June. Since then, thirty-four people have been placed in hospital care after consuming the product. This is just mind-boggling to me. Thankfully, no deaths have been announced. The Center for Disease Control is warning families “not to eat, serve, or sell any Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal.” Later in the article, I learned that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that this cereal is still being sold is some locations.
After reading this article, my perfect and safe image of the Kellogg’s cereal brand was tarnished. I will now be very paranoid when choosing my cereal. I was brought to the realization that harm can come your way through the seemingly least-harmful things. Who would’ve thought that a salmonella outbreak would be caused by a children’s cereal? All of this being said, it is obvious that the company is completely at fault. Millions of children eat cereal in the morning. Some children eat cereal everyday for breakfast. Out of all of the dangers of the world, we should at least feel safe eating our breakfast.