FDA recalls nonfat dry milk tainted with salmonella

The Food and Drug Administration recently recalled nonfat dry milk because the milk is apparently tainted with salmonella. Even if you aren’t a fan of the product, nonfat dry milk is an ingredient in many other foods that you probably do like—for example, popcorn, hot cereal, and cocoa are a few products that are being added to the recall list.

Several local grocery stores, including Meijer and Kroger, have recalled a variety of foods made over the past two years that contain nonfat dry milk products provided by Plainview Milk Products Cooperative. Malt-O-Meal has recalled some of its instant oatmeal products and Meijer has recalled its store brand nonfat dried milk, just to name a few of the affected products. The FDA has a full list of recalled products at its website.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture suspected salmonella contamination at the Plainview processing plant after a customer produced a dairy shake powder that they received in a “shelf-stable meal kit”, a food service product distributed to consumers at home by community service organizations. The FDA followed the Department of Agriculture’s suspicions up with an investigation at the Plainview processing plant, where they discovered processing equipment that was contaminated with salmonella. No illnesses have been reported thus far.

This recall comes on the heels of a recent announcement by the Obama administration that the FDA will play a larger role in maintaining and promoting food safety. There have been several other recalls for salmonella-contaminated foods this year alone, including pistachios, peanuts, and cookie dough.