The FDA announced Saturday that it has received more than 100 complaints related to lucky charms so far this year.
“The FDA takes all reports of possible adulteration of food products, which could also lead to illness or injury, seriously,” the agency said in a statement.
Hundreds of people also posted on the food safety website iwaspoisoned.com complaining of nausea, diarrhea and vomiting after eating the lucky charm.
General Mills, a Minneapolis-based company that makes lucky charms, cereal and other grains, said it was aware of the reports and took them seriously. However, the company said its own investigation found no evidence that consumer illnesses were linked to lucky charms.
General Mills said it encouraged consumers to share their concerns directly with the company.
Why is the FDA investigating Lucky Charms cereal?
Lucky Charm is a breakfast cereal that has been produced by General Mills since 1964. Granola is mostly oatmeal with marshmallows in various shapes. The mascot is a goblin named Lucky, who often appears in advertisements for lucky charms. Designed to represent the magical power of Lucky, the marshmallows come in eight different flavors.
On April 16, 2022, the FDA opened an investigation into complaints related to Lucky Charms cereals, CBS reported. The FDA reports that it has received more than 100 complaints related to lucky charms so far this year, particularly on the food safety website iwaspoisoned.com. Complaints on the site include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea after taking the lucky charm.
General Mills Inc. is a Minneapolis-based company that also produces grains such as Cheerios and Cocoa Puffs. Fortunately, the company was aware of reports of food poisoning and told CBS it had investigated the matter, although its investigation found no evidence that lucky charms directly caused the disease.
Certain batches of cereal may be recalled if the FDA determines a cause of consumer illness directly related to Lucky Charm. General Mills urges you to let them know if you experience symptoms of food poisoning after taking your lucky charms!
Can you get salmonella from muesli?
If you think a potential food poisoning outbreak from Lucky Charms seems highly unlikely, you may want to reconsider. While disgusting to think about, salmonella can get into grains. For example, Live Science says contamination can occur if grains are grown close to animal defecation.
Contamination can also occur anywhere food is produced, especially when bacteria such as salmonella enter equipment used to produce food. In February 2018, North Carolina State University associate professor and food safety expert Benjamin Chapman spoke with Live Science about food poisoning in grains.
“Dry heat actually makes [Salmonella] persist in a food or ingredient longer,” he said.
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