Salmonella in Breakfast Cereal

Abigail Zuger, MD, Attending Physician, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York and RM Walls

Aug 1, 1998

Abigail Zuger, MD, Attending Physician, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York and RM Walls

August 1, 1998

Abigail Zuger, MD, Attending Physician, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York and RM Walls

August 1, 1998

Most salmonella infections are acquired from contaminated meat, eggs, or produce, but an unusually widespread salmonella outbreak this spring apparently arose from oat cereal.

Starting in April, and as of June 8, 1998, 11 states have reported a total of 209 infections with the salmonella serotype Agona, ordinarily a very rare cause of human infection. Most reported cases were in children less than 10 years old and adults older than 70; 22% required hospitalization. A case-control study linked the disease with Millville brand plain Toasted Oats cereal, and the association was confirmed when repeated cultures of the boxed cereal yielded the organism. The cereal's manufacturer, Malt-O-Meal Inc., in Minnesota, also makes other brands of toasted-…

Reviewing Authors

Abigail Zuger, MD, Attending Physician, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York

RM Walls