White coated candy shipped nationwide recalled over salmonella contamination concerns

Multiple varieties of candies and snacks were recalled Sunday over potential salmonella poisoning, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Prodcuts from Palmer Candy in Sioux City, Iowa with white coatings were voluntarily recalled after the company was informed by its liquid coating supplier that its coating could be contaminated.

The recalled items were distributed nationwide in Walmart, HyVee, Dollar General and Target.

The products were also sent to distributors in Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

No illnesses were reported by the FDA in the announcement Monday.

Palmer Candy said in a Sunday press release that production of the products had been haulted pending an investigation.

"While there is a very, very small chance (of contamination), when you are working with food and safety, 99.9% is not 100%," Marty Palmer, CEO of Palmer Candy told the Des Moines Register, a part of the USA TODAY NETWORK.

Palmer reiterated his confidence in the low likelihood that his company's products were contaminated in a phone call with USA TODAY Tuesday.

Recalled candy packages

Symptoms of and treatment for salmonella disease

Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, according to the FDA. The signs of salmonella poisoning include:

• Bloody diarrhea or diarrhea that lasts more than three days without improving
• Diarrhea and fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit
• Excessive vomiting, especially if it prevents you from keeping liquids down
• Signs of dehydration, including dry mouth and throat, infrequent peeing and feeling dizzy when standing up
• Stomach cramps

These symptoms most commonly occur between six hours and six days after exposure. Though most people recover in four to seven days, those with weakened immune systems, including children younger than 5 and adults over 65, may experience more severe symptoms that require medical treatment or hospitalization.