The Salmonella Concord Karawan Tahini outbreak has ended after sickening six people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Those patients live in three states. The patient case count by state is: Massachusetts (1), New York (4), and Texas (1). Illness onset dates ranged from March 9, 2019 to May 2, 2019. The patient age range is from 8 to 33 years. One patient was hospitalized because their illness was so severe. Public health officials used the PulseNet system to find people who may have been part of this outbreak. Whole genome sequencing performed on isolates from these patients showed that they were closely related genetically. That means the people in this outbreak were more likely to share a common source of infection. Epidemiologic, … [Read more...]
More Karawan Tahini Recalled In Wake of Salmonella Outbreak
The Salmonella Concord outbreak that is linked to imported Karawan Tahini has sickened four people in three states. One person has been hospitalized. There have been no updates on this outbreak since late May 2019, but the FDA has announced another recall of the tahini. You can see pictures of product photos at the FDA web site. Brodt Zenatti Holding of Jupiter, Florida, the importer of record, is recalling all retail and bulk Karawan Tahini that is sold in 450 gram (15.87 ounce) jars, 17 kg (599.6 ounce) buckets, and in 3 kg (105.8 ounce) buckets. The product was imported from Palestine between December 2018 and April 2019. SoCo brand Tahini in 380 gram (13.4 ounce) packages is also recalled. These products may be contaminated with Salmonella Concord bacteria. The Karawan Tahini was … [Read more...]
SoCo Tahini Recalled in Karawan Tahini Salmonella Concord Outbreak
Another brand of tahini has been recalled in the Karawan tahini Salmonella Concord outbreak that has sickened at least 4 people in two states. Brodt Zenatti Holdings of Jupiter, Florida expanded their recall of imported tahini to include SoCo brand tahini that is sold in 135-ounce containers. This is in addition to the recalled retail and bulk Karawan brand tahini that is sold in 16 ounce jars and 39 pound buckets. This newly recalled tahini may be labeled either "Karawan Tahini," El-Karawan Tahini," or "Soco Tahini." It was sold in bulk to retailers and restaurants and was also available to consumers at retail outlets and online. It may have also been used to make other food products sold to consumers, including hummus, falafel, and baba ganoush. One of the issues with tahini is … [Read more...]
CDC Weighs In On Karawan Tahini Salmonella Concord Outbreak
The CDC has weighed in on the Karawan tahini Salmonella Concord outbreak. At least four people in three states are ill in this outbreak. One person has been hospitalized. The base count is: Massachusetts (1), New York (2), and Texas (1). The patient age range is from 8 to 32 years, with a median age of 21. Three of the four patients are female. Illness onset dates range from March 9, 2019 to March 23, 2019. PulseNet investigators are using their nationwide typing system to find people who may be part of this outbreak. Whole genome sequencing performed on isolates taken from ill persons showed they were closely related genetically. That means those people are more likely to share a common source of infection. Epidemiologic, traceback, and laboratory evidence indicates that … [Read more...]
Karawan Tahini Linked to Salmonella Outbreak Recalled
Broddzenatti Holding of Jupiter, Florida is recalling retail and bulk Karawan brand Tahini because it may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. There is a Salmonella Concord outbreak linked to this product that has sickened four people in three states. The recalled product is Karawan Tahini sold in 16-ounce jars and 39-pound buckets. It was imported from Palestine between the dates of December 2018 and January 2019. No refrigeration is needed with this product. The expiation date, which is located on the lid of the containers, is two years from the production date. The tahini was distributed in New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Texas. The ill persons sickened in the outbreak live in New York, Massachusetts, and Texas. The recall was initiated because of New York City … [Read more...]
Salmonella Concord Outbreak Linked to Karawan Tahini Sickens Four
A Salmonella Concord outbreak linked to Karawan Tahini and Halva brand tahini has sickened four people in three states and hospitalized one person. The original outbreak notice stated that the tahini was imported from Israel. The recall notice, which was posted on May 16, 2019, says the tahini was imported from Palestine. This outbreak is not related to the 2018-2019 Salmonella Concord outbreak linked to Achdut Tahini. That earlier outbreak, which ended in February 2019, sickened eight people. The tahini in that outbreak was imported from Israel and was sold under several different brand names, including Achdut, Soom, Pepperwood, and Baron. In this new outbreak, the case count by state is: New York (2), Massachusetts (1), and Texas (1). The last illness onset date was March 23, … [Read more...]
Achdut Tahini Salmonella Concord Outbreak Ends After Sickening Eight
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 … [Read more...]
FDA Issues Public Health Alert About Soom Chocolate Tahini Halva
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 … [Read more...]
More Achdut Tahini Products Recalled in Salmonella Concord Outbreak
The FDA is warning consumers to avoid eating several types of Achdut tahini in association with a Salmonella Concord outbreak. The recalled products are imported from an Israeli manufacturer, Achdut Ltd. Five people, who live in Hawaii, Michigan, and New York, are sick with the outbreak strain. The brands that company makes include Achva, Achdut, Soom, S&F, and Pepperwood brand tahini, and Soom brand Chocolate Sweet Tahini Halva Spread. The last product is sold in 12 ounce packages, has lot code 071318CH, with expiration dates ranging from April 7, 2020 to May 21, 2020. In addition, 40 pound Organic Tahini, 40 pound Premium Tahini, 16 ounce Premium Tahini, 16 ounce Organic Thin, and 11 ounce Premium Tahini from Soom foods is recalled. Also recalled is Baron's brand tahini … [Read more...]
FDA Reiterates Warning About Achdut Tahini Linked to Salmonella Concord Outbreak
The FDA is reiterating its warning to consumers to avoid eating Achdut Tahini. Products made by Actdut Ltd., which is based in Israel, are linked to a Salmonella Concord outbreak that has sickened at least 5 people. Achdut updated their recall on December 11, 2018, to include all brands of tahini products that were manufactured from April 7, 2018 to May 21, 2018. Most of the Achdut tahini brands have expiration dates of April 7, 2020 to May 21, 2020. One exception is for Baron's brand tahini, with an expiration date of May 5, 2021. The tahini was sold through mail order and is available internationally in retail stores. The brands of Achdut tahini that are recalled include Achva, Achdut, Soom, S&F, Baron's, and Pepperwood. The product lot codes range from 18-097 to 18-141. … [Read more...]
