A Salmonella Concord outbreak that has sickened five people is linked to Baron’s brand tahini that was manufactured by Achdut Ltd. This product is imported into the U.S. from Ari’el, Israel.
Achdut has voluntary recalled all brands of tahini products manufactured from April 7, 2018 to May 21, 2018 with expiration dates that range from April 7, 2020 to May 21, 2020. The FDA is advising consumers to not eat recalled Achva, Achdut, Soom, S&F, Pepperwood, and Baron’s brand tahini. The product codes range from 18-097 to 18-141. Some of these brands may lack specific dates or have labels that are written in Hebrew. If you can’t identify a tahini that you are considering buying, don’t buy it.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified five people infected with the same strain of Salmonella Concord that was found in tahini sampled at the point of import into the U.S. The manufacturer has been placed on an FDA Import Alert, detaining more product at the border until evidence is presented demonstrating that Salmonella Concord is not present in that product.
Attorney Fred Pritzker, who has represented clients sickened with Salmonella, said, “Even when you recover from a Salmonella infection, there is still a risk you may develop a serious health complication in the future.” Call 1-888-377-8900 for help.
Food safety attorney Fred Pritzker said, “Salmonella in ready-to-eat products such as tahini can be very dangerous. Producers must make sure their ready-t0-eat products are safe for human consumption.”
Whole genome sequencing has shown that the positive sample of imported Baron’s brand tahini is “highly related” to clinical isolates of Salmonella Concord taken from patients sickened in this outbreak.
If you purchased any of these products, do not eat them. Throw them away in a sealed container and place into a secure garbage can. You can also return the tahini to the place of purchase. Wash your hands well after handling this product. Clean and disinfect drawers or shelves in your fridge where the product was stored.
The symptoms of a Salmonella infection include a fever, abdominal and stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea that may be bloody. People usually get sick within a few hours to a few days after eating contaminated food. If you ate any of this recalled tahini, and have been ill, see your doctor.
