Yogurt-Covered Pretzels Lawsuit | 2026 Latest Updates

Western Mixers Produce & Nuts recalled yogurt covered pretzels sold in California because the yogurt coating has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The company announced the recall on May 10, 2024, and FDA posted it the same day. No lawsuit, class action or MDL has been reported over these pretzels. The recall notice says no illnesses have been reported to date. If you have any of this product, discard it. You can call the company at 323.443.2554, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm.

Latest Yogurt-Covered Pretzels Lawsuit Updates

May 18, 2024: Palmer Candy Updates White-Coated Confectionery Recall

On May 18, 2024, the Food and Drug Administration posted an update from Palmer Candy Company, announced May 17, 2024. It adds best-by dates and two products to a separate recall of white-coated confectionery items [1]. The listed items include Vanilla Yogurt Covered Pretzels 10oz. The recall was distributed nationwide. Palmer first notified the public on May 6, 2024.

May 10, 2024: Western Mixers Announces Pretzel Recall

On May 10, 2024, Western Mixers Produce & Nuts, Inc. of Ontario, CA announced a recall of its yogurt covered pretzels, as posted by FDA [2]. The company says the source supplier of the yogurt coating ran routine sampling. It showed the finished products contained Salmonella. The company ceased production and distribution. FDA and the company investigate the cause.

May 6, 2024: Canada Posts Western Family Pretzel Recall

On May 6, 2024, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency posted a recall of Western Family brand pretzels over possible Salmonella contamination [3]. It covers yogurt covered and milk chocolate covered pretzels, 240 g. The recalling firm is Huer Foods Inc. The notice says a recall in another country triggered the action. It lists British Columbia and possibly other provinces and territories.

What Is Salmonella?

According to CDC, Salmonella are bacteria that can make people sick. They live in the intestines of people and animals. People get infected by swallowing the bacteria, for example in contaminated food [4]. Salmonella is the bacteria named in the Western Mixers recall of yogurt covered pretzels, which were sold in California under several brands.

Who May Be Affected?

People who bought or ate Western Mixers yogurt covered pretzels from the recalled lots in California may be affected. The recalled product was sold as:

• Smart & Final First Street brand yogurt covered pretzels in 6 oz and 15 oz plastic containers, lots 241091, 241161 and 241241
• Gelson’s brand yogurt covered pretzels sold in 15 oz plastic containers under lot 241062
• Bulk 14 lb yogurt covered pretzels sold by Down Home Goods and Thorp Fruit under lot 241010

FDA’s Salmonella page says children younger than five, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe salmonellosis infections [5]. CDC also names adults 65 and older and children younger than 1 year. Whether a person has a claim depends on a confirmed Salmonella illness linked to the product. Only an individual legal review can decide that. For background, see our guide to Salmonella food poisoning claims.

Reported Injuries or Damages

The company’s May 10, 2024 notice reports no illnesses to date. A recall notice does not prove the product caused an illness. The Western Mixers notice lists fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain as common in healthy people. Rare cases can involve arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis. CDC’s symptoms guidance says most people have diarrhea and stomach cramps. The diarrhea might have blood or mucus [6]. A small number of people get reactive arthritis. It can last for months or years. CDC estimates that only 1 in every 30 Salmonella infections is diagnosed, so a case count never shows every illness.

Recall and Regulatory Background

Three other pretzel recalls in May 2024 are separate actions. GNS Foods recalled Drug Emporium Yogurt Flavored Pretzels sold in Texas and Louisiana, according to Food Safety News [7]. The other two came from Palmer Candy Company and Western Family in Canada. Palmer says its liquid coating supplier notified it of a potential Salmonella contamination from an ingredient. FDA’s notices do not say that one of these recalls is linked to another. A recall alone does not prove liability.

Evidence to Preserve

Keep anything that shows what you bought and how it affected your health:

• The package or container and its lot number, so the product can be matched to a recalled lot
• The receipt, loyalty-card record or bank record showing where and when you bought the pretzels
• Photographs of the packaging and its lot number, with the date each photograph was taken
• Medical and laboratory records, including the result of any stool test ordered by your doctor
• A dated diary of your symptoms, including when they started and when they ended
• Records of lost pay and medical expenses that you paid because of the illness

Filing Deadlines

Filing deadlines come from state law and depend on the state, on when the illness began and on when it was diagnosed. California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 sets two years for an action for injury caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another [8]. Missing a deadline can end a claim even when the facts are strong, so a person who became ill should ask a lawyer promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Do If I Ate the Recalled Yogurt-Covered Pretzels?

If you ate the recalled yogurt-covered pretzels and have symptoms, contact your health care provider. Report your symptoms and get care. CDC says to call for diarrhea or vomiting lasting more than 2 days. Also call for bloody diarrhea or urine, or a fever higher than 102 degrees F.

How Long Does Salmonella Take to Cause Symptoms?

Salmonella takes 12 to 72 hours, or up to three days, after infection to cause symptoms in most people, according to FDA. The illness, salmonellosis, usually lasts four to seven days.

What Does the Research Say About Salmonella Infection?

Research on Salmonella infection from CDC estimates about 1.35 million infections in the United States each year. FDA says CDC estimated approximately 450 persons die each year from acute salmonellosis, and most people recover without treatment.

Can You Sue for Salmonella from Yogurt-Covered Pretzels?

Whether you can sue for Salmonella from yogurt-covered pretzels depends on a confirmed illness tied to one of the recalled lots. Deadlines depend on the state where you live and when you became ill, so check yours early.

Is the Canadian Western Family Recall the Same as the Western Mixers Recall?

No, the Canadian Western Family recall is a separate recall from the Western Mixers recall. It covers yogurt covered pretzels with UPC 0 62639 35287 5 and codes 2024AU22N and 2024AU26N. The milk chocolate covered pretzels have UPC 0 62639 35286 8.

Is There a CDC Outbreak Tied to Yogurt-Covered Pretzels?

No, CDC has not tied an outbreak to yogurt-covered pretzels. CDC’s outbreak list mainly covers multistate investigations that CDC leads, so the absence of an outbreak does not show whether anyone became ill after eating them.

References

1. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/update-palmer-candy-company-recall-white-confectionary-products-because-possible-health-risk
2. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/western-mixers-produce-nuts-inc-recalls-yogurt-covered-pretzels-because-possible-health-risk
3. https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/western-family-brand-yogurt-covered-pretzels-and-milk-chocolate-covered-pretzels
4. https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/about/index.html
5. https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborne-pathogens/salmonella-salmonellosis
6. https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/symptoms/index.html
7. https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2024/07/drug-emporium-yogurt-flavored-pretzels-recalled-over-potential-salmonella-contamination
8. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=335.1&lawCode=CCP