Hostess Recall: Hamburger Buns, Hot Dog Buns Pulled Over Salmonella, Listeria Concerns

Hostess Brands is voluntarily recalling certain hot dog and hamburger buns because they may be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, both of which may cause "serious" infections in some people.

The recall affects Hostess Soft White Hamburger Buns and Hostess Soft White Hot Dog Buns, the company announcement posted on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) website noted. According to the company, it is conducting the recall "out of an abundance of caution" after it learned of the issue through the "environmental monitoring program" of its co-supplier, Best Harvest Bakeries.

Affected Hostess Soft White Hamburger Buns have an Item UPC of 888109110987 while the affected Hostess Soft White Hot Dog Buns have Item UPC 888109110970. The specific batch numbers and best by dates as well as photos of the affected products' packaging are available on the FDA website.

The products affected by the recall were sold across the U.S. through convenience stores and distributors and retail stores, the company noted. It also clarified that Best Harvest Bakeries only supplies its hamburger buns and hot dog buns. As such, "no other Hostess products are affected, including Hostess bread and bagel products."

Both Salmonella and Listeria are illnesses that are typically contracted by eating contaminated food, and both can cause "serious and sometimes fatal infections" in certain populations such as the elderly, young children and those with weakened immune systems.

Listeria, for instance, may cause short-term symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea and abdominal pain in "healthy" individuals. But it is a particular concern for pregnant women as Listeria infections in them may cause miscarriages or stillbirths.

In the case of Salmonella, "healthy" people may experience symptoms such as vomiting, fever and diarrhea, but there are "rare" cases when Salmonella can get into the bloodstream and cause a more severe illness.

Each year, Salmonella causes about 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations and 420 deaths in the U.S.

The company has not received reports of illnesses related to the issue, but it is urging those who may have purchased a product affected by the recall to either dispose of it or take it back to where it was bought to get a full refund.

To avoid food poisoning, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends following four steps: clean, separate, cook and chill. This means washing hands and surfaces often, avoiding cross contamination between foods, cooking to the right temperature and refrigerating food promptly.