Shipments of cumin contaminated with undeclared peanut have triggered so many product recalls, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising people with peanut allergies or severe sensitivities to avoid the spice for the time being as they are at risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction.
For those affected by the advisory, products to avoid include ground cumin sold as a spice, or in spice mixes, dinner kits-particularly for Indian of Tex Mex foods; marinades for meat and poultry and finished food products such as soups and chilies. Products made before 2014 are unlikely to contain the affected ground cumin.
The FDA advises consumers peanut allergies to review product labels and be aware that affected products may list “spices” rather than “cumin” in their ingredient list. Before consuming these products consumers who are highly sensitive should contact the manufacturer.
Consumers should also watch themselves for symptoms of an allergic reaction, which include shortness of breath, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, or hives. If these symptoms occur, do not continue eating the product and seek immediate medical care. You should also report your problem to your local FDA consumer complaint coordinator. To see a list of recalled products, click here.
McCormick & Co Inc. released a statement in response to the FDA advisory saying that because of their rigorous quality assurance measures, none of their spices have been contaminated with undeclared peanut and all of them, including ground cumin, cumin seed, and seasonings that contain cumin such as Taco Seasoning Mix and Chili Powder are safe for all consumers to eat.
