Quaker Oats Quinoa Granola Bars recall expanded

After a voluntary recall of Quinoa Granola Bars in May when an ingredient supplier distributed sunflower kernels that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the Quaker Oats Company is expanding the recall to include products with "best before dates" prior to Nov. 15, 2016, according to a Department of Defense All Food and Drug Activity message sent June 2.

The Defense Commissary Agency has publicized this recall notice to all its stores, said Richard Stith, the lead consumer safety officer for DeCA headquarters at Fort Lee, Virginia. Whenever a commissary has a recalled product in its inventory, the product is immediately removed from store shelves.

The following products are affected by this recall:

• Quaker Quinoa Granola Bars Chocolate Nut Medley, 6.1 ounces: UPC code 10030000322410000 and "Best Before" dates before Nov. 11, 2016.
• Quaker Quinoa Granola Bars Yogurt, Fruit & Nut, 6.1 ounces: UPC 10030000322434000 and "Best Before" dates before Nov. 11, 2016.

Listeria monocytogenes may cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the frail or elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy adults may only suffer short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria infections may also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

No illnesses have been reported to date, but the illness caused by these bacteria can take up to 70 days to appear. Customers should return this product to the commissary of purchase for a full refund.

Questions about this recall can be directed to Quaker Oats Consumer Affairs Hotline at 1-800- 856-5781, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST.