The Quaker Oats Co., a subsidiary of PepsiCo Inc., announced a voluntary recall of a small quantity of Quaker Quinoa Granola Bars after an ingredient supplier was found to have distributed sunflower kernels that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (L.mono).  There had not been any confirmed illnesses reported in connection to the recalled product as of the posting of the recall notice. While the vast majority of potentially affected Quaker products were withheld from ever reaching retail shelves, the two products being recalled were distributed nationwide and can be identified as follows:

• 6.1 ounce boxes of Quaker Quinoa Granola Bars Chocolate Nut Medley with UPC number 30000 32241 and Best Before Dates of: 10/16/2016, 10/17/2016
• 6.1 ounce boxes of Quaker Quinoa Granola Bars Yogurt, Fruit & Nut with UPC number 30000 32243 and Best Before Dates of: 10/10/2016, 10/11/2016

Listeria monocytogenes (L.mono) is an organism, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. (To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)