Kellogg has blamed a recent nationwide shortage of Eggo frozen waffles on heavy rain that shut down one of its main plants in Atlanta but that may be understating the reason a little. The facility was closed during much of September and October to sanitize after inspectors found Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of Eggos frozen waffles.
Kellogg recalled about 4,500 cases of Eggos in September after a state inspection turned up the Listeria. Listeria can pose a significant threat to pregnant women, infants and the elderly. For most people an contamination with Listeria can pass unnoticed but for those who are unfortunate to come down with listeriosis, an infection of Listeria, the foodborne illness can be life threatening. About 20% of reported listeriosis cases end in a fatality for the victim.
“Kellogg voluntarily ceased production at the plant, began an investigation to determine a possible cause of contamination and began a regimen of cleaning and sanitizing,” the Georgia Department of Agriculture announced at the time. “Kellogg will execute its hygienic restoration plan under Georgia Department of Agriculture before it resumes production at the plant.”
