Nestle is issuing a voluntary recall on more than 200,000 packages of its popular chocolate drink mix Nesquik. The product is believed to be contaminated with salmonella.
The Associated Press reported that the issue involves the ingredient calcium carbonate. Nestle stated that their ingredient supplier, Omya Inc., was the source of the possible contamination. The recall only affects the dry powder, not the ready made drinks.
The containers that have been affected are the 10.9, 21.8, and 40.7 ounce canisters. They all have the “best if sold by” date of October 2024. Consumers are urged to cease use and can return the item to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers may also contact Nestle Consumer Services.
There have been no reports of illness at this time. Salmonella poisoning symptoms can include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fevers. The elderly, infants, and pregnant women are at higher risk of severe symptoms.
Calcium carbonate, the ingredient that caused the recall, is added to many foods as either a preservative or a source of added calcium. According to their website, Nesquik states that it is fortified with added calcium to help build strong bones. Apparently this is why the ingredient is included in this product.
That’s not the only questionable ingredient right now. If you look at a Nesquik label, its first ingredient is sugar – which is a red flag for any food. And that’s how it looks on the “less sugar” product label. It also contains carrageenan, a common additive that Abra Pappa describes as, “a natural thickener or emulsifier. It helps improve the texture or ‘mouth feel’ of a product.”
Pappa explains that carrageenan is GRAS, or generally recognized as safe, but still warns of the potential danger. “Carrageenan has a long history of causing inflammation, specifically gastrointestinal inflammation. In fact, in the past, many scientists used carrageenan to CAUSE inflammation in order to study how specific drugs could reduce inflammation and to study the cells involved in the inflammatory response.
If you purchase this product, be sure to check your labels and get rid of any of the recalled Nesquik product.
Also Read:
6 Common Food Preservatives and Their Nasty Side Effects
Beware Carrageenan: A Food Additive Common in Organic Products