By Elissa  Elan

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CANTON, Mass. (July  1, 2009) Dunkin’ Donuts said Wednesday it has temporarily stopped serving its hot chocolate and Dunkaccino beverages after an inspection at one of its suppliers’ facilities found that the plant may have been contaminated with salmonella.

Dunkin' officials said the supplier, Plainview Milk Products Cooperative of Plainview, Minn., had assured the chain that the products it manufactures for Dunkin, instant nonfat dried milk and whey protein, were not contaminated.

“We were given assurances by our supplier that our product was not contaminated, but we made the decision to voluntarily withdraw as a precautionary measure,” said Michelle King, a spokeswoman for parent company Dunkin’ Brands Inc.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced earlier this week that Plainview Milk Products Cooperative was voluntarily recalling instant nonfat dried milk, whey protein, fruit stabilizers and gums after an investigation found some of the equipment at the company's facility had been contaminated with salmonella. No illnesses have been linked to the contamination so far, the FDA said.

Dunkin', which has 6,400 locations, expects to have the beverages back in stores soon, King said.

“Due to our sophisticated supplier network and supply chain process, we will be able to replenish stores with new product within the week, and in some stores as early as today," she said.

King said no other Dunkin’ Donuts products were affected by the recall.

Contact Elissa Elan at eelan@nrn.com.

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