Francisco Calvo has every right to brag.

As a professional, Calvo makes his living playing in the United States for Minnesota United in Major League Soccer. He's one of the bright young stars that migrated from Central America to join the ranks of MLS.

And he's Costa Rican , which for this World Cup has provided him a position of power over his American teammates in the MLS, even if it's just in jest.

"I'm kidding with some of the guys. I'm making fun of them because the USA is not in the World Cup," Calvo said. "But they always like to support when I go to the national team."

Four years ago, Costa Rica was the surprise of the World Cup, making a memorable and impressive run to the quarterfinals before falling to the Netherlands in a penalty shootout loss. The effort allowed the Ticos to quickly forget the disappointment of not qualifying for the 2010 tournament and, more importantly, changed the perception for what the Costa Rica team should be going forward.

Just qualifying in no longer enough for the Ticos. And with another deep run in this tournament, Costa Rica - a country of about 5 million - could establish itself as arguably the second-best federation in CONCACAF with the United States sitting out.

As Calvo noted, "Futbol is everything in Costa Rica." Except now there are expectations unlike anything that have come before in the nation's four previous World Cup appearances.

"When the national team wins the country is happy. When we lose the country is not happy," Calvo said. "You cannot imagine what it was like after Brazil when the guys come back from the World Cup."

Ah yes. Four years ago when Costa Rica announced itself as more than just the "other" country from CONCACAF aside from the U.S. and Mexico. The Costa Ricans topped one of the toughest groups in Brazil, beating Uruguay and Italy before a draw with England after already ensuring advancement. They beat Greece on penalties in the Round of 16 and nearly earned a spot in the semis, seeing their dream run fall short in penalties after a scoreless quarterfinal against the Dutch.

Still, they were one of the feel-good stories of the tournament.

"We have gained more expectations from other countries, other countries know Costa Rica now," defender Kendall Waston said. "Before they say 'Costa Rica, where's that?' Now they know."

And there lies the issue for the Costa Ricans. They aren't surprises anymore, both at home and abroad. They are expected to succeed. Winning one game at the World Cup is no longer acceptable. Getting out of the group stage is the expectation.

"We know the responsibility that we have after what we achieved in Brazil," striker Marco Urena said through an interpreter. "It's going to be a big test for us, but we have a group with a lot of World Cup experience and that will help us. I have no doubt that Costa Rica will have a great tournament."

Costa Rica is in another tough group in Russia, with Serbia, Switzerland and Brazil. The team opens the tournament on Sunday against Serbia in Samara.

Costa Rica is one of the more veteran teams in the tournament with more than half of its roster filled with players returning from that 2014 run, including goalkeeper Keylor Navas, the team's anchor who plays for Real Madrid.

"We have an advantage because we have so many experienced players ... that will play in their second World Cup," Urena said. "We already know what it's like."

But it's also a team that's heavy on newcomers from MLS clubs. Six Ticos currently play in MLS, including Urena (LAFC), Calvo (Minnesota), Watson (Vancouver Whitecaps), David Guzman (Portland Timbers), and Ronald Matarrita and Rodney Wallace (NYCFC). Costa Rica coach Oscar Ramirez made a point of visiting each player with their club team ahead of the World Cup.

While the MLS tries to shed its retirement league reputation, the Costa Ricans are an example of the U.S.-based league's recent influx of young players from Central and South America. Panama's World Cup team also has six MLS players.

Guzman said he believes the move to MLS boosted his bid for a spot on the national team for the World Cup.

Now all that's left is to make the most of it.

"Right now we're just really focusing on our preparation and trying to stay fit mentally and physically," Guzman said through a translator. "We have a really tough group so we're trying to just go out there and try to make it to the next round. Playing in the World Cup is the best feeling there is and every player dreams of playing in it."</s>Image copyright Getty Images

Kellogg Company is voluntarily recalling 1.1 million Honey Smacks packets across more than 30 US states over concerns about potential salmonella contamination.

The company launched an investigation after being alerted by US authorities.

Salmonella can cause serious illness or even death in rare cases.

Media reports quoted US authorities as saying preliminary evidence had linked the product to more than 60 cases of salmonella.

The voluntary recalls involves the 15.3 ounce and 23 ounce boxes of Honey Smacks cereal with best before dates of between 14 June 2018 and 14 June 2019, Kellogg's said in a statement.

The company told the BBC the product also had a limited distribution in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, the Caribbean, Guam, Tahiti and Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands.

No other Kellogg products are affected by the recall.

The company began its investigation with the third-party manufacturer that produces Honey Smacks immediately after being contacted by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Kellogg's said.

According to the CDC, the consumption of products contaminated with salmonella can produce serious and potentially fatal infections in people with weakened immune systems and can last up to seven days.</s>Francisco Calvo has every right to brag.

As a professional, Calvo makes his living playing in the United States for Minnesota United in Major League Soccer. He’s one of the bright young stars that migrated from Central America to join the ranks of MLS.

And he’s Costa Rican , which for this World Cup has provided him a position of power over his American teammates in the MLS, even if it’s just in jest.

“I’m kidding with some of the guys. I’m making fun of them because the USA is not in the World Cup,” Calvo said. “But they always like to support when I go to the national team.”

Four years ago, Costa Rica was the surprise of the World Cup, making a memorable and impressive run to the quarterfinals before falling to the Netherlands in a penalty shootout loss. The effort allowed the Ticos to quickly forget the disappointment of not qualifying for the 2010 tournament and, more importantly, changed the perception for what the Costa Rica team should be going forward.

Just qualifying in no longer enough for the Ticos. And with another deep run in this tournament, Costa Rica — a country of about 5 million — could establish itself as arguably the second-best federation in CONCACAF with the United States sitting out.

As Calvo noted, “Futbol is everything in Costa Rica.” Except now there are expectations unlike anything that have come before in the nation’s four previous World Cup appearances.

“When the national team wins the country is happy. When we lose the country is not happy,” Calvo said. “You cannot imagine what it was like after Brazil when the guys come back from the World Cup.”

Ah yes. Four years ago when Costa Rica announced itself as more than just the “other” country from CONCACAF aside from the U.S. and Mexico. The Costa Ricans topped one of the toughest groups in Brazil, beating Uruguay and Italy before a draw with England after already ensuring advancement. They beat Greece on penalties in the Round of 16 and nearly earned a spot in the semis, seeing their dream run fall short in penalties after a scoreless quarterfinal against the Dutch.

Still, they were one of the feel-good stories of the tournament.

“We have gained more expectations from other countries, other countries know Costa Rica now,” defender Kendall Waston said. “Before they say ‘Costa Rica, where’s that?’ Now they know.”

And there lies the issue for the Costa Ricans. They aren’t surprises anymore, both at home and abroad. They are expected to succeed. Winning one game at the World Cup is no longer acceptable. Getting out of the group stage is the expectation.

“We know the responsibility that we have after what we achieved in Brazil,” striker Marco Urena said through an interpreter. “It’s going to be a big test for us, but we have a group with a lot of World Cup experience and that will help us. I have no doubt that Costa Rica will have a great tournament.”

Costa Rica is in another tough group in Russia, with Serbia, Switzerland and Brazil. The team opens the tournament on Sunday against Serbia in Samara.

Costa Rica is one of the more veteran teams in the tournament with more than half of its roster filled with players returning from that 2014 run, including goalkeeper Keylor Navas, the team’s anchor who plays for Real Madrid.

“We have an advantage because we have so many experienced players … that will play in their second World Cup,” Urena said. “We already know what it’s like.”

But it’s also a team that’s heavy on newcomers from MLS clubs. Six Ticos currently play in MLS, including Urena (LAFC), Calvo (Minnesota), Watson (Vancouver Whitecaps), David Guzman (Portland Timbers), and Ronald Matarrita and Rodney Wallace (NYCFC). Costa Rica coach Oscar Ramirez made a point of visiting each player with their club team ahead of the World Cup.

While the MLS tries to shed its retirement league reputation, the Costa Ricans are an example of the U.S.-based league’s recent influx of young players from Central and South America. Panama’s World Cup team also has six MLS players.

Guzman said he believes the move to MLS boosted his bid for a spot on the national team for the World Cup.

Now all that’s left is to make the most of it.

“Right now we’re just really focusing on our preparation and trying to stay fit mentally and physically,” Guzman said through a translator. “We have a really tough group so we’re trying to just go out there and try to make it to the next round. Playing in the World Cup is the best feeling there is and every player dreams of playing in it.”</s>Francisco Calvo has every right to brag.

As a professional, Calvo makes his living playing in the United States for Minnesota United in Major League Soccer. He’s one of the bright young stars that migrated from Central America to join the ranks of MLS.

And he’s Costa Rican , which for this World Cup has provided him a position of power over his American teammates in the MLS, even if it’s just in jest.

“I’m kidding with some of the guys. I’m making fun of them because the USA is not in the World Cup,” Calvo said. “But they always like to support when I go to the national team.”

Four years ago, Costa Rica was the surprise of the World Cup, making a memorable and impressive run to the quarterfinals before falling to the Netherlands in a penalty shootout loss. The effort allowed the Ticos to quickly forget the disappointment of not qualifying for the 2010 tournament and, more importantly, changed the perception for what the Costa Rica team should be going forward.

Just qualifying in no longer enough for the Ticos. And with another deep run in this tournament, Costa Rica — a country of about 5 million — could establish itself as arguably the second-best federation in CONCACAF with the United States sitting out.

As Calvo noted, “Futbol is everything in Costa Rica.” Except now there are expectations unlike anything that have come before in the nation’s four previous World Cup appearances.

“When the national team wins the country is happy. When we lose the country is not happy,” Calvo said. “You cannot imagine what it was like after Brazil when the guys come back from the World Cup.”

Ah yes. Four years ago when Costa Rica announced itself as more than just the “other” country from CONCACAF aside from the U.S. and Mexico. The Costa Ricans topped one of the toughest groups in Brazil, beating Uruguay and Italy before a draw with England after already ensuring advancement. They beat Greece on penalties in the Round of 16 and nearly earned a spot in the semis, seeing their dream run fall short in penalties after a scoreless quarterfinal against the Dutch.

Still, they were one of the feel-good stories of the tournament.

“We have gained more expectations from other countries, other countries know Costa Rica now,” defender Kendall Waston said. “Before they say ‘Costa Rica, where’s that?’ Now they know.”

And there lies the issue for the Costa Ricans. They aren’t surprises anymore, both at home and abroad. They are expected to succeed. Winning one game at the World Cup is no longer acceptable. Getting out of the group stage is the expectation.

“We know the responsibility that we have after what we achieved in Brazil,” striker Marco Urena said through an interpreter. “It’s going to be a big test for us, but we have a group with a lot of World Cup experience and that will help us. I have no doubt that Costa Rica will have a great tournament.”

Costa Rica is in another tough group in Russia, with Serbia, Switzerland and Brazil. The team opens the tournament on Sunday against Serbia in Samara.

Costa Rica is one of the more veteran teams in the tournament with more than half of its roster filled with players returning from that 2014 run, including goalkeeper Keylor Navas, the team’s anchor who plays for Real Madrid.

“We have an advantage because we have so many experienced players ... that will play in their second World Cup,” Urena said. “We already know what it’s like.”

But it’s also a team that’s heavy on newcomers from MLS clubs. Six Ticos currently play in MLS, including Urena (LAFC), Calvo (Minnesota), Watson (Vancouver Whitecaps), David Guzman (Portland Timbers), and Ronald Matarrita and Rodney Wallace (NYCFC). Costa Rica coach Oscar Ramirez made a point of visiting each player with their club team ahead of the World Cup.

While the MLS tries to shed its retirement league reputation, the Costa Ricans are an example of the U.S.-based league’s recent influx of young players from Central and South America. Panama’s World Cup team also has six MLS players.

Guzman said he believes the move to MLS boosted his bid for a spot on the national team for the World Cup.

Now all that’s left is to make the most of it.

“Right now we’re just really focusing on our preparation and trying to stay fit mentally and physically,” Guzman said through a translator. “We have a really tough group so we’re trying to just go out there and try to make it to the next round. Playing in the World Cup is the best feeling there is and every player dreams of playing in it.”

Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</s>BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN (CBS13) – Kellogg’s is recalling boxes of Honey Smacks due to possible Salmonella contamination.

The boxes were distributed in the United States, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, the Caribbean, Guam, Tahiti and Saipan.

The affected boxes have “Best If Used By” dates of June 14, 2018-June 14, 2019, and have the following UPC codes:

The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention alerted Kellogg’s after an unknown number of illnesses were reported. Kellogg’s then issued a voluntary recalled and launched an investigation into the manufacturer.

ALSO: Tyson Frozen Chicken Recalled Due To Possible Plastic Contamination

Kellogg’s says no other products are impacted by the recall, and it didn’t disclose how many people have reported getting sick.

Those with boxes involved in the recall should contact Kellogg’s for a full refund.

Symptoms of Salmonella include: fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. The illness can last 4-7 days. It can cause serious and fatal infections in children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.</s>BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – Kellogg Company is voluntarily recalling one of their breakfast cereals over possible salmonella contamination.

The Michigan-based company announced that they are recalling 15.3-ounce and 23-ounce packages of Honey Smacks cereal, but no other products are believed to be affected.

The Food & Drug Administration said in a press release Thursday that the company launched an investigation into a third-party manufacturer that makes Honey Smacks after the FDA asked about reported illnesses. It’s not clear how many people reported being sickened.

The potentially-tainted Honey Smacks were distributed across the United States as well as in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, the Caribbean, Guam, Tahiti and Saipan. Cereal boxes with the following UPC Code and “best by” dates are part of the recall:

Kellogg is asking that people who purchased the potentially affected cereal discard it and contact the company for a full refund. Consumers seeking more information, including images of these products, can visit kelloggs.com/honeysmacksrecall or call 1-800-962-1413 from Monday – Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET as well as Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET.

According to the CDC, salmonella can produce serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people may experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most persons recover without treatment. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses.

Each year, about 1.2 million people are sickened, 23,000 hospitalized and 450 killed by salmonella, the CDC says.</s>Federal officials are urging the public to not eat Kellogg’s Honey Smacks and to throw away any they have in their homes because of a new Salmonella outbreak that has already sickened 73 people.

The FDA posted a recall notice from Kellogg Co. on Thursday, June 14, that says only the Honey Smacks flavor of cereal is implicated.

Reuters news service reported the nationwide recall covers 1.3 million cases of the cereal. No deaths have been confirmed, but the sick people are spread across 31 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC urges that even if some of the cereal was eaten and no one got sick immediately after eating it, consumers should throw away of the cereal they have in their homes. If the cereal has been stored in containers other than the original packaging and consumers don’t remember the brand or type,they should throw it away. Additionally, be sure to thoroughly wash the cereal container with warm, soapy water before using it again to remove harmful germs that could contaminate other food.

Kellogg launched an investigation with the third-party manufacturer who produces Honey Smacks after federal officials contacted the company, according to the Kellogg recall notice.

“Ill people in this outbreak reported this cereal (Honey Smacks) more often than any other cereals or food items,” according to the outbreak notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The recall notice on the Food and Drug Administration website includes information to help consumers identify the recalled cereal.

How to identify the recalled cereal

 The affected product includes the following varieties distributed across the United States as well as limited distribution in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, the Caribbean, Guam, Tahiti, and Saipan. The BEST if Used By” date can be found on the top of the cereal box, and the UPC code can be found on the bottom of the box.

Outbreak statistics

 The CDC reports that outbreak illnesses started on dates from March 3 to May 28. Ill people range in age from less than 1 year old to 87. Out of 55 people with information available, 24 have been hospitalized. A 44 percent hospitalization rate is unusually high for Salmonella infection cases. No deaths have been reported.

Illnesses that occurred after May 22 might not yet be reported to the CDC because of the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported. This takes an average of two to four weeks.

As of Thursday, 73 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Mbandaka had been reported from 31 states.

The number of ill people reported from each state is as follows: Alabama (2), Arizona (1), California (5), Connecticut (3), Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Indiana (3), Kentucky (1), Louisiana (2), Massachusetts (5), Maryland (1), Michigan (4), Mississippi (1), Montana (1), North Carolina (3), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (3), New York (7), Ohio (1), Oklahoma (2), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (5), Rhode Island (2), Tennessee (1), Texas (2), Utah (1), Virginia (4), Washington (3), Wisconsin (1), and West Virginia (3).

Advice to consumers 

 Anyone who has recently eaten Honey Smacks cereal and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should see a health care provider and tell them about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria.

Most people infected with Salmonella develop the following signs and symptoms 12-72 hours after being exposed to the bacteria. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and Abdominal cramps. In some people, diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized.

Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other places in the body. In some cases, Salmonella infection can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.

The illness usually lasts about a week or less in healthy adults, but other groups are at a higher risk of developing serious infections and complications. High-risk people include children younger than 5 years, adults older than 65, and people with weakened immune systems.</s>The Kellogg Company announced Thursday it is voluntarily recalling specific packages of Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal because some boxes might be contaminated with salmonella.

No other Kellogg products are impacted by this recall.

Kellogg launched an investigation with the third-party manufacturer who produces Honey Smacks immediately after being contacted by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding reported illnesses.

According to the CDC, use or consumption of products contaminated with salmonella may result in serious illness. It can also produce serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems.

Healthy individuals infected with salmonella can experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most persons recover without treatment. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses.

HOW TO IDENTIFY THE RECALLED PRODUCT

The affected product includes the following varieties distributed across the United States as well as limited distribution in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, the Caribbean, Guam, Tahiti and Saipan. The BEST if Used By Date can be found on the top of the cereal box, and the UPC code can be found on the bottom of the box.

Kellogg is asking that people who purchased potentially affected product discard it and contact the company for a full refund. Consumers seeking more information, including images of these products, can visit kelloggs.com/honeysmacksrecall or call 1-800-962-1413 from Monday – Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET as well as Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET.

Click/tap here to download the free azfamily mobile app.</s>The risk of Salmonella contamination strikes again, this time it’s a well-known breakfast cereal.

Kellogg is recalling an estimated 1.3 million cases of its Honey Smacks cereal involving more than 30 states.

It is the latest case of U.S. food products possibly tainted by the illness-causing bacteria.

The company said the affected products had use by dates of June 14, 2018 through June 14, 2019.

The voluntary recall involves its 15.3 ounce and 23 oz. Honey Smacks packages.

No other Kellogg products are impacted by the recall, the company said.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration said it worked with Kellogg to issue the recall after preliminary evidence linked the product to more than 60 illnesses, according to Reuters.

The U.S. health regulator also said it is inspecting the facility that manufactures Honey Smacks.

Kellogg earlier on Thursday said it launched an investigation with the third-party manufacturer that produces the cereal immediately after being contacted regarding reports of illnesses.

It’s the latest case where U.S. food is linked to a Salmonella outbreak.

The agency first issued a warning last Friday, alerting people that it is investigating more than 124 salmonella infections involving contact with live poultry in backyard flocks.

As of June 1, the CDC says, more than 21 people have been hospitalized in 36 states due to the bacterial disease. Of those, 31% have been children under the age of 5, with an alarming 74% admitting they have had contact with either chicks or ducklings a week prior to getting ill. However, no deaths have been reported.

Then four days later, the CDC had to issue another salmonella warning, this time involving precut melons, including fresh-cut watermelons, honeydew and cantaloupes. More than 60 people have reportedly been infected by the strain and 31 have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported.

They had been distributed to stores operated by Costco Wholesale, Kroger, Walmart and Amazon.com's Whole Foods.

It causes an estimated 1.2 million illnesses, 23,000 hospitalizations and 450 deaths in the United States each year, according to the CDC.</s>BATTLE CREEK, Mich — Kellogg Company is voluntarily recalling 15.3 oz. and 23 oz. Kellogg’s® Honey Smacks® cereal because these products have the potential presence of Salmonella, according to a news release.

The company made the announcement Thursday after being contacted by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) about reported illnesses.

The affected product includes the following varieties distributed across the United States as well as limited distribution in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, the Caribbean, Guam, Tahiti and Saipan. The BEST if Used By Date can be found on the top of the cereal box, and the UPC code can be found on the bottom of the box.

According to the CDC, use or consumption of products contaminated with Salmonella may result in serious illness. It can also produce serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals infected with Salmonella can experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most persons recover without treatment. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses.

Kellogg is asking that people who purchased potentially affected product discard it and contact the company for a full refund. Consumers seeking more information, including images of these products, can visit kelloggs.com/honeysmacksrecall or call 1-800-962-1413 from Monday – Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET as well as Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET.
Kellogg's issues a voluntary recall of Honey Smacks amid fears of salmonella contamination, with affected areas including the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, and some parts of French Polynesia.