Kellogg Recalls 28 Million Boxes of Cereal

JUNE 25, 2010, 4:06 P.M. ET By ILAN BRAT And NATHAN BECKER

Kellogg Co. recalled about 28 million boxes of cereal largely marketed to children on Friday out of concern that unpleasant smells and flavors emanating from the boxes' plastic packaging could be causing nausea and diarrhea.

The Battle Creek, Mich., company said the voluntary recall covers some of its Kellogg's Apple Jacks, Kellogg's Corn Pops, Kellogg's Froot Loops and Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereals distributed nationwide with better-if-used-before dates ranging from March 26, 2011, to June 22, 2011.

In a release, Kellogg said the potential for serious health problems is low but some consumers are sensitive to the "uncharacteristic off-flavor and smell" coming from plastic bags containing the cereal.

Adaire Putnam, a spokeswoman for Kellogg, said complaints were received from about 20 people, including five who reported nausea and vomiting.

Ms. Putnam said the bags producing the unpleasant smells and flavors in the cereals were first used in cereal boxes in late March. In the next several months, consumers reported stale, metallic and soap-like tastes and scents, she said.

The company saw a pattern emerge on Wednesday and began working to notify customers and consumers. A spokesman for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the company initiated the recall and notified the agency.

Ms. Putnam said the company's chemists are studying whether a wax-like compound in the packaging may be the cause.

A Kellogg representative declined to comment on the financial impact of the recall.

Recalls related to products with peanuts hurt the company's 2008 earnings. Around that time Kellogg and several food companies issued recalls of products made with peanut butter or peanut paste supplied by Peanut Corp. of America amid an investigation by U.S. officials into a salmonella outbreak.