"food recall" news and stories

Before you shake a little dried turmeric into that curry you're preparing, read this. Food Safety News reports that the possibility of excessive lead in its ground turmeric has led Missouri company B&M, Inc. to voluntarily recall its Archer Farms brand turmeric, sold at Target in 2.6 oz. glass bottles, with UPC 0-85239-02612-0. The lot numbers included (numbers and dates can be found on the bottom of the bottle ) are 1740901A, best by 6/23/2011; 2180902A, best by 8/6/11; 2780906A, best by 10/5/2011; 2920903A, best by 10/19/11; 3060903A, best by 11/2/2011; 0071003A, best by1/7/2012. The turmeric is distributed nationwide. (No other Archer Farm spices are affected.)

Consumers can return the turmeric to the store where it was purchased. For more information, you can call B&M, Inc. at 1-877-321-5852 or Target Guest Relations at 800-316-6151.

Food Safety News also reports that another concern with lead in turmeric has caused Top Food & Drugs to voluntarily recall two Spice Hunter brand products: Spice Hunter Curry Seasoning in 1.8 oz. containers with a UPC number of 0-81057-01330, lots: 09 198 and 09 225, as well as its Spice Hunter Ground Turmeric in 2 oz. containers, UPC: 0-81057-01985, lots: 09 196, 09 201 and 09 264.

No illnesses have yet been reported because of the affected turmeric. The concern, though, is that when too much lead is consumed, it can create developmental problems, especially in children.

The FDA has issued a recall of all Sally Jackson Cheese due to a possible contamination of E. coli. Sally Jackson produces raw cheese from cow's-, goat's- and sheep's milk. These cheeses do not bear a USPC code, as they are wrapped in leaves and tied with twine. The company is based in Oroville, WA but the cheese has been distributed nationwide to restaurants, distributers and retail stores.

As per the FDA: "Customers who have purchased Sally Jackson cheeses are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 509-429-3057, Monday through Friday, between 8:00am and 5:00pm Pacific Time."

Sally Jackson is one of the pioneer women cheesemakers. She had recieved a grant from the Carter Administration in the 1970s to produce her raw cheese on her Okanagan Highlands farm from the raw milk of her pasture-raised livestock. The cheese is then aged for the required 60 days (for raw cheeses) in signature dried chestnut leaves. You'll even find her product at the famed Murray's Cheese Shop, whose owner once referred to Sally as "one of America's great artisans."

Here at Slashfood we believe that's as true today as it's ever been. Ms. Jackson has had a long record of producing fine cheeses safely and we wish her the best in the future.

A nationwide recall of 72,000 pounds of canned chicken salad was issued December 5th, through the U.S. Department Food Safety and Inspection Service, CNN reported. Small pieces of loose plastic were found in the packaging, prompting the recall.

The recall is for 8.2-ounce packages of the "Bumble Bee Lunch on the Run Chicken Salad Complete Lunch Kit" and 3.5-ounce packages of "Bumble Bee Chicken Salad with Crackers," according to the USDA statement. The Suter Company, producer of the products, is based in Sycamore, Illinois, but its products are sold nationwide.

"The recalled products -- which have a August 2011 "best-by" date for the lunch kit, and February 2012 corresponding date for the cracker package -- were put together and shipped out to distributors and stores between August 14 and 28 of this year," reports CNN

The FSIS release notes that there are no reports of people getting hurt or sick as a result of the "foreign materials.

For more information, see the Bumble Bee Foods website, or the FSIS release.

Two brands of nutmeg (sold in all 50 states) are being recalled voluntarily because they "have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella," according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Frontier Natural Products Co-op is recalling two brands: Frontier Brand Nutmeg (sold in 16 oz. bulk packages), and Whole Foods 365 Brand Nutmeg (1.92 oz. package), both originally supplied by Mincing Overseas Spice Company. According to the FDA press release, "Consumption of products containing salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain."

The FDA says that customers who have purchased the Frontier brand nutmeg may contact Frontier with any questions or to inquire about replacement or reimbursement at 1-800-669-3275 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Customers who have purchased the Whole Foods 365 brand nutmeg (sold in 1.92 oz jars) may contact their local Whole Foods Market regarding reimbursement. More information and images of the products are available from Frontier at: http://www.frontiercoop.com/recall/nutmeg.

East Coasters take note: If you bought spinach or artichoke dip recently, check the label. Giant Food and Stop & Shop Supermarkets have announced a voluntary recall of frozen artichoke and spinach dips that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Although healthy people rarely get sick from the bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that poses significant risk for babies, the elderly, and pregnant women. Listeria is usually killed by pasteurization and cooking; it's unclear why the bacteria may be present in the affected dips.