The FDA has issued a public health alert about potential Salmonella Tennessee contamination of Soom Foods Chocolate Sweet Tahini Halva Spread. This spread is packaged in 1 ounce (30 ml) pouches or packets with a stamped lot number of “67333D” on the bottom. The pouches are purple laminated paper packets with a tear-away tab on one end.
The FDA analyzed some product samples of Soom Foods Chocolate Sweet Tahini Halva Spread in response to a Salmonella Concord outbreak linked to imported Achdut tahini products. FDA officials found Salmonella Tennessee in that product. This product has been distributed by retailers as samples. The FDA advises consumers to discard that product.
While Soom Foods was notified of the product testing and positive test results, but has “not yet acted to protect public health by recalling the product.” The FDA is not aware of any illnesses related to this particular product of individually packed halva spread. Other types of Soom tahini have been recalled in relation to the Salmonella Concord outbreak.
The public health alert is one example of the powers the FDA has in recalling products to protect the public. They can recall the product, issue public health warnings, and even seize food if it is found to be adulterated within the meaning of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
The symptoms of a Salmonella infection usually begin 12 to 72 hours after exposure to the pathogen. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea that may be bloody, abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting. While most people recover on their own from this infection, some do become sick enough that they need to be hospitalized.
