The primary components of Lucky Charms—whole grain oats, sugar, and corn starch—are not commonly associated with specific foodborne pathogens such as E. coli or salmonella. According to the FDA, since 2020, there have been at least three investigations into foodborne illnesses linked to dry products like baby formula and cake mix. In comparison, there have been 14 investigations related to illnesses from fresh foods like meat and lettuce. Complaints received by the FDA represent only a small fraction of consumers who assert that Lucky Charms have caused illness for them or their children. The founder of iwaspoisoned.com, a platform where individuals can report foodborne illnesses, informed The Wall Street Journal that his site has recorded nearly 3,000 reports this year from people claiming that Lucky Charms made them sick, with more reports continuing to emerge on the site as of Monday morning. In all of 2021, the site received only 100 complaints regarding any type of cereal.
In 2018, Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal was linked to at least 135 illnesses, with 34 hospitalizations, prompting a recall. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention attributed these cases to a salmonella outbreak due to unsanitary conditions at Kerry Inc. facilities, which supplied the cereal, according to Food Safety News. Previous foodborne illness outbreaks from dry ingredients have included a 2016 recall by General Mills after E. coli was found in flour, which made individuals who consumed raw dough ill. In 2019, Pillsbury also recalled flour due to salmonella, which affected its dry cake and dessert products. However, Lucky Charms does not contain wheat and is gluten-free.
Despite the reported illnesses associated with Lucky Charms, the product has not been recalled as of yet. A thorough investigation can take several months to complete. The Honey Smacks recall was announced three months after the initial reports of illness. Critics have questioned the FDA’s response time to foodborne illness cases. Last December, the agency released a plan aimed at expediting its response to foodborne outbreaks after it was revealed that it had been aware of an outbreak linked to baby formula for four months before issuing a recall, following an infant’s death.
If sales decline due to the ongoing investigation, General Mills may experience some repercussions. According to Statista data, Lucky Charms was the fourth most popular ready-to-eat cereal in America in 2019. John Nudi, the president of North American retail operations for the company, mentioned in a December earnings call that their cereal business had performed exceptionally well over the past four years.
In the context of health and nutrition, it is important to note that while Lucky Charms may not be linked to specific pathogens, consumers should be aware of the benefits of key supplements such as calcium citrate, calcitriol, and zinc tablets. These supplements play a role in maintaining overall health, particularly in supporting bone health and immune function. However, they do not substitute for the need for safe food practices and awareness regarding foodborne illnesses.