Easter Candy Recall: Salmonella Spurs Marshmallow Snack Scare

Marshmallow Easter egg candies are being recalled from stores throughout the Midwest for possible salmonella poisoning.

An Indiana candy maker has recalled packages of its chocolate-covered marshmallow eggs, which may contain salmonella.

Indiana-based candy maker Zachary Confections is voluntarily recalling shipments of its chocolate-covered marshmallow eggs after a sample taken during routine testing showed what the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said was "the potential for salmonella contamination."

George Anichini, vice president of operations for Zachary Confections, said in a statement  the company is "dedicated to manufacturing wholesome products for our customers". So, "consistent with that dedication, we are taking this voluntary action."

Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause sometimes life-threatening infections in the very young, the very old, but also people with weakened immune systems. Even healthy adults exposed to salmonella may suffer fever, pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Rarely, the organism can enter the bloodstream and cause heart and artery infections and even arthritis.

About 400 Americans die each year from Salmonella poisoning, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The suspect candies were shipped Feb. 21 and 22 from Zachary's factory in Frankfort, Ind. The shipments were distributed to stores in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin, the FDA said.

The recall covers 5-ounce packages of the Easter sweets that are sold in white egg crates with purple, green and yellow lettering, carry the product number 31-797 and the best buy date of Feb. 14, 2014.

The FDA reports Zachary Confections has so far not received any reports of illness linked to its products, but has nevertheless suspended production while it investigates the potential contamination.

The FDA recommends that consumers who purchased the recalled products destroy or return them to where they purchased them.