Swad Cinnamon Powder is being recalled for possible lead contamination. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with the consumption of this spice. The recalling firm is Raja Foods of Skokie, Illinois. While there is no safe level of lead consumption, people who are exposed to very low levels of lead for a short period of time may not have any symptoms. Symptoms of lead poisoning over a longer period of time in adults can include high blood pressure, headache, difficulties with memory or concentration, abdominal pain, mood disorders, and miscarriage or stillbirth. Symptoms of lead poisoning in children, who can be more affected by this heavy metal, can include developmental delays, learning difficulties, irritability, weight loss, loss of appetite, … [Read more...]
El Chilar Ground Cinnamon Recalled For Elevated Lead Levels
El Chilar Ground Cinnamon is being recalled for elevated lead levels. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with the consumption of this spice. The recalling firm is El Chilar Rodriguez LLC of Apopka, Florida. There are 127 cases of cinnamon included in this recall. There is no safe level of lead exposure. Short term exposure to dry low levels of lead may not cause symptoms. But if a person, especially a child, is exposed to lead for a long period of time, permanent damage may occur, including lowered IQ and learning disabilities. In adults, lead can cause damage to the brain and kidneys and damage to the production of red blood cells. The cinnamon is sold in 12 bags to the case. The recalled product is El Chilar Ground Cinnamon "Canela Molida," … [Read more...]
Lipari Ground Cumin Recalled For Possible Salmonella
Lipari Ground Cumin is being recalled for possible Salmonella contamination. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with the consumption of this product. The recalling firm is Lipari Foods of Warren, Michigan. The cumin was sold at the retail level in these states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The recalled product is Lipari Ground Cumin that is packaged in a 6 ounce clear plastic tub. The UPC number that is stamped on the product label is 094776212620, and the lot code for this item is 220914601. The best before date for this item is 09/2024. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development were alerted … [Read more...]
Did You Know Spice Containers Can Be Contaminated?
We often talk about how to protect yourself against food poisoning in the kitchen. You know about preventing cross-contamination, and using a food thermometer, and washing your hands and utensils. But did you know that spice containers can be contaminated with pathogens? A study conducted at Rutgers and published in the Journal of Food Protection details this information. Almost half of spice containers can be contaminated while working in the kitchen, according to the study. In the study, 48% of spice containers sampled showed evidence of cross-contamination during food preparation. In fact, those containers had the highest pathogen marker concentration of all kitchen surfaces, including trash can lids. Observational studies and self-reporting shows that consumers often use … [Read more...]
FDA Seized Spices at Lyden Spice Corp. in Florida for Insanitary Conditions
The FDA seized spices at Lyden Spice Corporation in Florida for being held under insanitary conditions, according to a news release. The U.S. Marshals Service conducted the seizure of the spices and food additive products, which were allegedly exposed to widespread rodent infestation along with live and dead insects. The seizure was completed on October 1, 2021 at Lyden Spice Corporation in Miami, Florida. The products include more than 25,000 boxes and bags of bulk ready-to-eat spices and food additives, and included monosodium glutamate, crushed red chili, and sesame seeds. Janet Woodcock, M.D., Acting FDA Commissioner, said in a statement, The FDA plays a critical role in safeguarding the U.S. food supply and helping to ensure that our food is not contaminated at any point … [Read more...]
Great Value Organic Parsley Flakes and Others Recalled For Salmonella
Red Monkey Foods is recalling their organic parsley and other herb blends because they may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. This is part of a recall initiated by High Quality Organics (HQO). A portion of the lot recalled by HQO was supplied to Red Monkey Foods and was repackaged into consumer containers for parsley and also used to make Herbs De Provence. Some of the recalled products are Great Value Organic Parsley Flakes and O Organics Herbs De Provence. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with this recall. These products are all packaged in glass bottles. These items were sold in all fifty states and in Puerto Rico at the retail level. No other best by dates other than those listed below are recalled. You can see pictures of product labels at … [Read more...]
The Spice Hunter Products Recalled For Possible Salmonella
Sauer Brands, Inc. is voluntarily recalling The Spice Hunter products for possible Salmonella contamination. After initially certifying that their raw material teated negative for Salmonella, their supplier notified the company of the potential presence of Salmonella in some lots of organic parsley. Those lots were used on two days in production. So the following products have been recalled that were produced on those days out of an abundance of caution. There are no reports of illnesses associated with these recalled items. The Spice Hunter products were distributed to Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, … [Read more...]
FDA Publishes Risk Profile of Pathogens and Filth in Spices
Did you know that spices can contain pathogenic bacteria and filth? The FDA has published the 2017 Risk Profile of Pathogens and Filth in Spices to "describe the nature and extend of the pubic health risk posed by consumption of spices in the U.S." The report identifies the most commonly occurring microbial hazards in spices, and evaluates the current mitigation and control options. There have been recalls of these types of products for possible bacterial contamination in the past few years. In October 2017, for example, Spicely Organics recalled tarragon for possible Salmonella contamination. And in 2014, some Costco pepper was recalled, also for Salmonella. The draft risk profile did identify Salmonella as the pathogen most commonly associated with human illness that was … [Read more...]
Yu Yee Black Pepper Recalled for Salmonella
Summit Import Corp. of Jersey City, NJ, is recalling Yu Yee brand Black Pepper Powder for Salmonella. Consumers who have purchased this product should not use it as Salmonella can cause serious sometimes fatal infections. The recall pepper was packed in clear plastic 19.4oz bottles with the lot No. WH76 and distributed to some Asian retail stores on the East Coast. Symptoms of a Salmonella infection include fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea that can be bloody. Those most at risk are children, seniors, pregnant women and people with underlying medical conditions or compromised immune systems. At the time of the recall, no illnesses had been reported. … [Read more...]
Spiceco Recalls Paprika for Undeclared Peanuts
Update: The recalled paprika was not distributed to Virginia, as stated in the original FDA recall announcement. This post has been updated to reflect that change. Spiceco of New Jersey is recalling Pride of Szeged Paprika because it may contain peanut allergens. Tests by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture discovered the allergen in a sample of the product. People with an allergy to peanuts could have a serious allergic reaction if they eat this product. No illnesses have been reported to date. The recalled product is Pride of Szeged Sweet Hungarian Paprika with lot number 091617PAHU05PS. It is packaged in a metal tin with the lot number on the lower edge of the lid. It was sold between September 18, 2014 and October 13, 2014, and sold to distributors located in Illinois, … [Read more...]
