Hostess Recalls Hamburger and Hot Dog Buns Over Risk of Salmonella and Listeria

The nationwide recall extends to grocery and convenience stores

Hostess Soft White Hot Dog and Burger Buns Source: FDA

Hostess Brands, LLC voluntarily recalled Hostess Soft White Hamburger Buns and Soft White Hot Dog Buns because they may be contaminated with salmonella and listeria, the Food and Drug Administration announced earlier this week. The products were distributed nationwide to grocery and convenience stores. No illnesses have been reported.

The problem was discovered by Hostess’ co-manufacturer Best Harvest Bakeries after environmental monitoring testing by that company indicated that the buns could potentially contain the bacteria.

“As Best Harvest Bakeries only manufactures certain Hostess hamburger buns and hot dog buns, no other Hostess products are affected,” Hostess said in a statement. The UPC codes are 888109110987 for the hamburger buns and 888109110970 for the hot dog buns. You can find more information on the FDA’s website.

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Neither Hostess or Best Harvest Bakeries immediately returned CR’s request for comment.  

“One concern is that consumers may have these products at home right now, because some of the ’best buy’ dates run into early October,” says James E. Rogers, PhD, director of food safety and testing at Consumer Reports. “Check the UPC codes because you can’t tell if a food is contaminated with listeria or salmonella just by looking at it or smelling it.” Throw the products away or return them to the store where you bought them for a refund. 

Risks of Salmonella and Listeria

Both types of bacteria can cause foodborne illness and both can be particularly harmful to children, older people, and those with compromised immune systems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Listeria can cause miscarriages in pregnant people. 

Symptoms of listeria and salmonella can be similar: fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain. Listeria can also cause severe headaches and stiffness.  

Call your doctor if you have a fever of 102°F, diarrhea that lasts for more than three days, or bloody stools, or if you’re showing signs of producing very little urine, having a dry mouth and throat, and being dizzy when you stand up. 

Listeria symptoms can appear anywhere from one to four weeks after eating contaminated food, although the CDC says people have experienced them on the same day and even up to 70 days later. Symptoms of salmonella can appear as early as six hours and up to six days after consuming contaminated food.

The Details

Products recalled: Hostess Soft White Hamburger Buns and Hostess Soft White Hot Dog Buns with UPC codes 888109110987 and 888109110970, respectively, with "best buy" dates from Aug. 13 through Oct. 4, 2021.

The problem: The buns may be contaminated with listeria and salmonella.

The fix: Throw them away or return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund. 

How to contact the manufacturer: Call 800-483-7253 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CST, Monday through Friday, or visit hostesscakes.com.

Head shot of CRO author Lisa Gill

Lisa L. Gill

As a dorky kid, I spent many a Saturday at the Bloomington, Ind., public library, scouring Consumer Reports back issues for great deals. Now, as a (much) bigger kid, that's still my job! Identifying products and services, especially in healthcare, that are safe, effective, and affordable—and highlighting those that aren't—is my top concern. Got a tip? Follow me on Twitter ( @Lisa_L_Gill)

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