Miravalle Foods Inc. of El Monte, CA, is recalling achiote molido, also called ground annato spice because it may be contaminated with Salmonella. Consumers who have purchases this product should not eat it as Salmonella can cause serious illness. The recalled product was sold in 0.75 ounce packages at retail stores in California, Utah, Idaho, Colorado, Nevada, Washington and Oregon. The clear plastic bags are marked with lot # 0015 & #0018 on the top of the UPC number (712810005020). The company has suspended production during the investigation of the problem. Although no illnesses were reported at the time of the recall, Salmonella can cause illness. Young children, seniors, women who are pregnant and others with compromised immune systems are most at risk. Symptoms of a … [Read more...]
FDA Releases Risk Profile on Pathogens and Filth in Spices
Over the years, there have been recalls for pathogens and filth in spices. The USDA recently completed a report about the risk of Salmonella in imported spices. In that report, scientists found that about 14% of spices from Mexico were contaminated. The FDA has now released a draft profile on the risk of contamination in spices and the steps it plans to take to improve safety. Pathogens found in spices range from Salmonella, Bacillus, Clostridium perfringens, Cronobacter, Shigella, and Staphylococcus aureus. Filth adulterants include insects, excrement, hair, and other materials such as decomposed parts, wood slivers, twigs, staples, stones, plastic, and rubber bands. During the time period of 1973 - 2010, fourteen illness outbreak were attributed to the consumption of … [Read more...]
USDA Research Finds Salmonella in Imported Spices
When we cook and bake, we are concerned with foods safety. We wash our hands after preparing raw chicken or other meats, wash produce before eating, avoid cross-contamination, and use a food thermometer to check the temperature of meat dishes. But not many people think about spices as a source of foodborne illness. The USDA, in a response to increased concerns about the safety of spices we buy, initiated research to discover the prevalence of Salmonella in imported spices. Shipments of imported spices were sampled during the fiscal years 2007 to 2009. Scientists found a wide diversity of Salmonella strains in these spices. About 8.3% of the samples contained antibiotic-resistant Salmonella strains. The researchers also found that a larger proportion of spice shipments derived from … [Read more...]
