Mini-Wheats Recall Issued Over Metal Debris Contamination

Roughly 282,000 cases of the popular cereal brand Mini-Wheats have been recalled, due to the possible presence of fragments of flexible metal mesh that came from a faulty manufacturing part. 

The Kellogg’s Mini-Wheats and Frosted Mini-Wheats recall was announced on October 10, after workers noticed a defective part may have caused pieces of metal to be distributed throughout the cereal.

Recalled products only include Frosted Mini-Wheats Bite Size Original and Mini-Wheats Unfrosted Bite Size, which were sold in 18, 24, 30, and 70 ounce cartons and single serving bowls. The letters KB or FK are before or after the “Best if Used Before Date” on the packaging of the recalled products.

Although Kellogg released a statement indicating that there is a very low chance that any of the metal made its way into the product, consumers should still avoid eating the cereal. Pieces of metal mesh in the Mini-Wheats may be large enough to pose a choking hazard, especially for small children.

Metal or wire fragments entering food products through manufacturing processes is a rare problem, but several similar recalls have been issued in recent years involving major brands.

In 2011, a Velveeta Shells & Cheese recall was announced due to thin metal wire bristles entering food during production. Also, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recalled 5,500 lbs. of Imperial Sysco pureed pork after receiving multiple consumer reports of metal within the product. An investigation showed that the metal pieces may have simply come from cleaning the blending equipment.

Kellogg is advising that consumers with affective products or who have questions should use the Contact Us feature on Kellogs.com or call (800) 962-1413.

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