House-Autry Mills Inc. is recalling cornbread and biscuit mixes because a third-party ingredient supplier, Franklin Farms, purchased powdered milk from Valley Milk Products LLC that could be contaminated with Salmonella.

The recall by the Four Oaks, NC, company was one of four posted Thursday on FDA and USDA websites by food companies that named powdered milk from Valley Milk Products of Strasburg, VA.

To view larger versions of these photos of the recalled mixes and to see labels from recalled crates of the mixes, click on the image.
To view larger versions of these photos of the recalled mixes and to see labels from recalled crates of the mixes, click on the image.

Since Dec. 7 at least 17 companies have recalled products packaged under even more brandnames because of the potential Salmonella contamination. Valley Milk recalled about 3 million pounds of powdered milk and powdered buttermilk — after the federal government seized 4 million pounds of the same products from the cooperative’s production plant in Strasburg.

“FDA (Food and Drug Administration) inspections found that quantities of Valley Milk Products’ bulk milk powder contained Salmonella,” according to the House-Autry Mills recall notice for its cornbread and biscuit mixes.

“According to Franklin Farms, testing has proved that no pathogenic bacteria have been found in the powdered milk product supplied to House-Autry Mills, and in addition, when consumers follow the preparation instructions, there is no risk because the heat kills potential salmonella.

“However, it is out of an abundance of caution the company has decided to recall products produced from the specific lot received from that ingredient supplier.”

House-Autry Mills Inc. officials did not include distribution details in the recall notice. The following products subject to the recall:

  • House-Autry Buttermilk Cornbread Mix, 8-ounce boxes with the UPC number 0 73484-15500 9 and either “Best By 06/28/17 096216” or “Best By 07/19/17 097106” located on the top fold;
  • House-Autry Buttermilk Biscuit Mix, 8-ounce boxes with the UPC number 0 73484-15510 8 and either “Best By 05/18/17 094782” or “Best By 07/19/17 097105” on the top fold; and
  • House-Autry Cheese Biscuit Mix, 8-ounce boxes with the UPC number 0 73484-15512 2 and “Best By 08/03/17 097754” on the top fold.

“Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to discontinue use and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company by calling 800-849-0802, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. EST daily, or by emailing Retail@House-Autry.com,” according to the recall notice.

Anyone who has consumed any of the recalled products and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctors about the possible exposure to the pathogen.

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections.

Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

Related recalls
At the request of the FDA, armed U.S. Marshals raided the Valley Milk plant on Dec. 1 and seized 4 million pounds of powdered milk and powdered buttermilk.

On Dec. 9 Valley Milk Products recalled 3.1 million pounds of powdered milk products produced and sold in the period from Dec. 5, 2015, through July 10, 2016.

While the FDA has access to company records showing who bought the recalled powdered milk, and when, it cannot publish those details because of a federal law protecting “confidential corporate information.”

In a document filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia the FDA reported environmental swabs collected at the production facility returned positive results for Salmonella.

Inspectors also found internal records at Valley Milk that showed the company itself had found Salmonella in the facility and in finished products.

For additional details on other recalls related to the Valley Milk Products problems with Salmonella, please see:

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