Salmonella Concerns Prompt Recall Of Various Spice Products

Posted on August 10, 2009 by Shawn Stevens

Adams Extract and Spice has announced a voluntary recall of various spice products following the discovery of Salmonella during routine product testing.

The spice products being recalled were processed using a specific lot of ground red pepper supplied by Van de Vries Spice Corporation (located in New Jersey). Although the lot of ground red pepper initially tested negative for Salmonella, a second sample drawn from the same lot reportedly confirmed positive for the pathogen.

The products affected by the voluntary recall were distributed in Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico through retail stores, mail order, internet sales and direct delivery.

Click on the following link to view a copy of the FDA Recall Release. The specific products subject to the recall include:

Items in clear plastic (PET) bottles with yellow caps:

  • Adams Cayenne Pepper 2.61 oz Best by date 060311-060711, 062711-070111, 071811-072211, 080111-080511;
  • Adams Brisket Rub 13.47 oz Best by date 062111-062511, 062711-070711;
  • Adams Brisket Rub 8.5lbs Best by date 062811-070211;
  • Adams Multi-Season Seasoned Salt 14.46 oz. Best by date 070511-070911;
  • Adams Multi-Seasoning 30 oz. Best by date 071111-071511;
  • REX Cayenne Pepper Ground 6.98 oz. Best by Date 072111-072511, 071111-071511; and
  • REX Cayenne Pepper 16 oz. Best by Date 071111-071511.

Items in french square glass bottles with silver-tone caps:

  • Adams Reserve Cajun Seasoning 4.93oz. Best by date 061011-061711, 071311-071711.

Items in translucent polypropylene jars with translucent caps:

  • Carniceria Texas Red All Purpose Seasoning Adams 14.25oz. Best by date 061711-062111; and
  • Carniceria B-B-Q Seasoning Adams 15.07oz. Best by date 061611-062011.

Items in red trimmed "cello" packages:

  • REX Crab Boil Ready Mix 64 oz.

Items in green trimmed "cello" packages:

  • REX Fish Fry 10 oz.

To date, there have been no reported illnesses associated with the use of these products. Consumers who have purchased these products, however, are being urged by the company to return them to the place of purchase.

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Salmonella Continues To Pepper Our food Supply

Posted on March 30, 2009 by Shawn Stevens

On the heels of one Salmonella outbreak comes word of yet another. This time, a variety of spices manufactured by the Union International Food Company (and distributed under the Lian How brand name) have been identified as the likely culprits. Investigators with the Oregon Department of Human Services reacted quickly, and were able to isolate the outbreak strain from a sample of ground black pepper. Congratulations for a job well done.

Although Union International has announced a recall of its products, the ultimate origin of the spices has yet to be identified. Could it have come from outside of the United States, we wonder? It will be interesting to find out. In the meantime, we are being told that consumers – especially patrons of Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants – should avoid adding ground pepper or other spices to their prepared dishes. So far, the company has recalled White Pepper, Whole White Pepper, Black Pepper, Whole Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Paprika, Chopped Onion, Onion Powder, Garlic (chopped, minced, powder and granulated), Curry Powder, Mustard Powder and Wasabi Powder.

In related news, the CDC evidently couldn’t wait, in the midst of a pepper recall, to warn us that we’re all eating too much salt. In a new study, released at about the same time as the recalls were being announced, the CDC complained that Americans on average eat twice the daily "recommended" sodium levels. Thanks.

Thus, in addition to not eating pepper, we must also cut back on salt.

So, next time you sit down for a meal, instead of passing the salt and pepper, you might be well advised to just . . . “pass.”

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