Those grocery store cards and key chain hangers that save you money might be the next big tool in helping keep customers informed of food safety risks.

As reported in The Sun on Sunday by our colleague Liz Kay, food safety advocates say those customer loyalty cards are the best way to notify customers of recalled products and prevent illness.

In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention used the cards to track down the latest salmonella outbreak that sickened 245 people in 44 states.

Of course, not everyone's on board with the idea. Some opponents say privacy is a real concern. After all, barcodes on the back of those cards are linked to a mountain of personal data about shoppers.

With the recent recall of hydrolyzed vegetable protein possibly contaminated with a strain of salmonella, the debate over the best way to keep consumers informed of recalls rages on. 

For now, the story offers some tips consumers can use to take matters into their own hands:

•Recalled products should be discarded or returned to retailers for refunds.

•All food should be cooked according to the package instructions, including directions to let food stand after heating in the microwave.

•Conscientious eaters with computer access also could sign up for e-mail alerts about recalls at foodsafety.gov, but prepare to be inundated with messages.

AP photo