The Achdut Tahini Salmonella Concord outbreak is over as of February 27, 2019, after sickening eight people, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The tahini was imported from an Israeli manufacturer located in Ari’el, Israel, and was sold under several different brand names.
The case count by state is: Hawaii (1), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (1), and New York (5). Illness onset dates ranged from April 21, 2018 to January 3, 2019. No patients were hospitalized in this outbreak.
These are the products that have been recalled: Achva, Achdut, Soom, S&F, Pepperwood, and Baron’s tahini manufactured from April 7, 2018 to May 21, 2018; Soom Foods 11 ounce-sized Premium Tahini and 12 ounce Chocolate Sweet Tahini Halva Spread with the lot code 071318CH; Achva, Achdut, Soom, S&F, and Pepperwood tahini products have expiration dates ranging from April 7, 2020 to May 21, 2020. Baron’s brand tahini has an expiration date of May 5, 2021. These products were packaged in 15 ounce, 16 ounce, 17.6 ounce, 635 ounce containers with lot codes from 18-097 to 18-141.
Unfortunately, some of the tahini made by Achdut may not have specific dates or may have labels that are written in Hebrew. If you aren’t sure whether or not any tahini you purchased was made by Achdut, discard it. More detailed and specific information about these recalls can be found at the FDA website.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a Salmonella infection, you can contact attorney Fred Pritzker for help by calling 1-888-377-8900.
A sample of imported tahini collected by the FDA at the point of import tested positive for Salmonella Concord. The manufacturer was placed on import alert. Whole genome sequencing found that the positive sample of tahini that tested positive is highly related to clinical isolates taken from ill persons.
Five of the patients were infected with Salmonella Concord that has the same genetic fingerprint as the Salmonella Concord found in the tahini. All five reported eating hummus made with tahini.
The symptoms of a Salmonella infection include fever, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea that may be bloody. Symptoms usually begin 12 to 72 hours after a person eats food contaminated with the pathogen. If you have eaten this imported tahini and have been ill, see your doctor.
