ALERT: Recall of Cheerios, Skittles, Snickers and Other Popular Snacks

A recall of nearly 2,000 popular products that many of us like to snack on, including household names like Nutella and Cheerios, has been elevated due to a major safety risk for consumers.

Last month, Minnesota-based Gold Star Distribution, Inc. recalled a wide range of products after the FDA determined that the company’s facility was operating under unsanitary conditions. According to the agency’s report, inspectors found “the presence of rodent excreta, rodent urine, and bird droppings in areas where medical devices, drugs, human food, pet food, and cosmetic products were held.”

The 44-page list of products spans thousands of UPC codes, from crunchy Pringles tubes and Twix bars to the oh-so popular Hairbo gummy bears—household names untouched by manufacturing flaws but compromised downstream. Gold Star promises refunds upon proof of destruction sent to their address; direct manufacturer shipments like frozen goods escape the net.

On January 22, the FDA elevated the recall to a Class II designation, meaning that eating or using the affected items could pose a serious health risk.
The recalled products were sold at retailers across three states: Indiana, Minnesota, and North Dakota.

Which Products are Recalled?

Among the thousands of items impacted are several well-known snacks and breakfast staples, including:

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Snack and candy products

• Jif Crunchy Peanut Butter
• Nutella
• Skittles
• Snickers
• Twix
• Haribo Gummy Bears
• Pringles
• Takis

Breakfast foods and baking ingredients

• Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Cereal
• Cheerios
• Quaker Corn Meal
• Special K Cereal
• Lucky Charms Cereal

How Bad is Salmonella?

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that infects the intestines, usually after someone eats contaminated food or drinks contaminated water. It’s one of the most common causes of food poisoning.

Common symptoms (usually start 6 hours–6 days after exposure)

Most healthy adults experience:

• Diarrhea (sometimes severe)
• Fever and chills
• Stomach cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache
• Dehydration

Symptoms typically last 4–7 days, and many people recover without treatment.

What it can do to the body (when it’s worse)

In more serious cases, salmonella can:

• Cause severe dehydration, which may require IV fluids
• Enter the bloodstream (bacteremia), allowing the infection to spread to organs
• Trigger joint pain and swelling (reactive arthritis), which can last months or longer
• Infect other organs, such as the heart lining, bones, or brain (rare but serious)

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Who is most at risk?

• Complications are more likely in:
• Infants and young children
• Adults over 65
• Pregnant people
• People with weakened immune systems (cancer treatment, HIV, transplant patients, etc.)

For these groups, salmonella can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

When to seek medical care

You should contact a doctor if someone has:

• Diarrhea lasting more than 3 days
• High fever (over 102°F / 39°C)
• Bloody stools
• Signs of dehydration (very little urine, dizziness, dry mouth)
• Symptoms in a high-risk person

What to Do if You Think You have Salmonella Poisoning?

Take symptoms seriously (but don’t panic). Then, you should:

1. Focus on hydration immediately

Diarrhea and vomiting can dehydrate you fast.

• Sip water, oral rehydration solutions, or electrolyte drinks
• Take small, frequent sips if you feel nauseated
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks
• Go to urgent care or the ER immediately if you can’t keep fluids down or feel dizzy/faint.

2. Rest your digestive system

• Eat bland foods only if you can tolerate food (BRAT: bananas, rice, applesauce, toast)
• Avoid dairy, spicy foods, greasy foods, and raw foods
• Don’t force yourself to eat—hydration matters more early on

3. Be careful with medications

• Do NOT take anti-diarrheal meds like loperamide (Imodium) unless a doctor tells you to—these can trap bacteria in your system
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help with fever or pain
• Avoid NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) if you’re dehydrated

4. Call a doctor if symptoms are moderate or worsening

You should contact a healthcare provider if:

• Diarrhea lasts more than 3 days
• Fever is over 102°F (39°C)
• You have bloody stools
• You have severe abdominal pain
• You’re in a high-risk group (infant, over 65, pregnant, immunocompromised)

A doctor may order a stool test and, in severe cases, prescribe antibiotics.

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5. Prevent spreading it to others

Salmonella is contagious, so be sure to:

• Wash hands thoroughly after using the bathroom
• Don’t prepare food for others while sick
• Disinfect bathroom surfaces
• Avoid swimming pools until fully recovered

6. Watch for warning signs (get urgent help)

Seek immediate medical care if you notice:

• Signs of dehydration (little urine, dry mouth, sunken eyes)
• Confusion or extreme weakness
• Persistent vomiting
• Symptoms spreading beyond the gut (joint pain, chest pain)

 
Consumers are urged to check their homes for any recalled products and follow FDA guidance on disposal or returns.