CANTON, Mass. (AP) - Dunkin' Donuts has temporarily stopped selling hot chocolate and Dunkaccino brand beverages after learning equipment used at a supplier's facility might have been contaminated with salmonella.
The Canton, Mass.-based company said Tuesday none of its products was contaminated and the withdrawal of the beverages from its stores was a precaution to ensure customer safety. It has about 6,400 franchised restaurants in the United States and says it serves 3 million customers a day.
Plainview, Minn., supplier Plainview Milk Products Cooperative announced it had voluntarily recalled its instant nonfat dried milk and whey protein because of potential salmonella bacteria contamination. It says there were no reported illnesses.
Dunkin' Donuts says it expects to resume hot chocolate and Dunkaccino sales shortly. The chain sells 52 types of doughnuts and more than a dozen coffee drinks.
Statement from Dunkin' Donuts
"Dunkin’ Donuts is voluntarily withdrawing all hot chocolate and Dunkaccino® beverages as we have been made aware by our supplier that some of the equipment used at their facility was contaminated with Salmonella.
"We have confirmed that no Dunkin’ Donuts products have been affected.
"However, we have made the decision to temporarily withdraw the beverages from our stores to ensure the safety of our customers. We expect to have these products back in stores shortly, and we apologize for any inconvenience this has caused our customers."
