Ritz cookies are withdrawn in the United States for possible salmonellosis

The US Food Safety Authority has issued an alert regarding possible contamination with Salmonella in whey powder, an ingredient found in Ritz biscuits.

Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at 11:45 am

CITY OF MEXICO (CNN) –

The Food Inspection and Safety Service of the United States Department of Agriculture issued a public health warning Friday for foods containing whey powder, which eliminated Ritz Biscuits.

Mondelēz Global has removed some Ritz Cracker Sandwiches and other Ritz Bits products because they contain whey powder that has been recalled for possible Salmonella contamination. The full list of products can be found here.

Products are available everywhere in the United States

Voluntary withdrawal is a precaution, as no complaints of illness have been reported, the company said. The list of recalled products includes Ritz Bits Cheese Cookies and Mixed Cookie and Cracker Bundles

Lee: Sam's Club wraps up the Honey Smacks cereal recall for a possible salmonella . The powder is an ingredient regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used in a number of foods.

According to a 2017 study, whey powder is used to modify texture, thicken food gelatinizes food and improves the solubility and transportability of food. Whey powder is an FDA regulated product that is voluntarily withdrawn by the producer, Associated Milk Producers (AMPI). The FSIS containing whey removed from this public health alert is available, "FSIS said at the announcement of the recall.

Symptoms of Salmonella begin 12 to 72 hours after a person becomes infected and that it includes diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps.

Read: Profeco removes Honey Smacks for a possible salmonella . seven days, and most people recover without treatment. However, those who develop severe diarrhea may need to be hospitalized. Those who are very young, who are very old, or who have compromised the immune system are at higher risk for complications and serious illness.

No illness has been reported so far because of these withdrawals, but consumers should not eat any of the foods removed because they could get sick.

All products that contain whey powder as an ingredient in the package are not at risk.