The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it is actively investigating findings of Salmonella Tennessee in hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP), which was manufactured by Basic Food Flavors, Inc., in Las Vegas, Nevada. HVP is a flavor enhancer used in a wide variety of processed food products, such as soups, sauces, chilis, stews, hot dogs, gravies, seasoned snack foods, dips, and dressings. HVP is also often blended with other spices to make seasonings used in or on foods.

At this time, no illnesses associated with this contamination have been reported to the FDA; however, we have been following the growing number of food recalls linked to this outbreak. Yesterday, we wrote that Homemade Gourmet of Canton, Texas recalled about 320 packages of some of its Tortilla Soup Mix and Castella Imports of Hauppauge, New York recalled some of its Castella Chicken Soup Base. In both cases, the products were distributed nationwide. More Discovery of Salmonella at Basic Food Flavors Inc. Prompts Scores of Recalls

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just announced two separate food product recalls over concerns of potential Salmonella contamination. Both products were recalled because they were made using hydrolyzed vegetable protein manufactured by Basic Food Flavors, Inc. Las Vegas, Nevada. Basic Food Flavors previously initiated a recall of its hydrolyzed vegetable protein because it tested positive for Salmonella at its original manufacturing plant.

Salmonella, which is usually found in food and water contaminated with animal feces, is an organism that 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. In rare circumstance, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis. Salmonella poisoning can lead to Reiter’s Syndrome, a difficult-to-treat reactive arthritis characterized by severe joint pain, irritation of the eyes, and painful urination. More Soup Mix, Base Recalled for Potential Salmonella Contamination

T. Marzetti Company—a specialty food subsidiary of Lancaster Colony Corporation—just announced it is voluntarily recalling certain production codes of T. Marzetti Veggie Dips, Oak Lake Chip Dips, and Great Value Chip Dips because an ingredient used in the product has the potential to be contaminated with the dangerous and, sometimes, deadly Salmonella pathogen. T. Marzetti was notified by its supplier, Basic Food Flavors, Inc., of the recall of an ingredient used in these products due to potential Salmonella contamination. T. Marzetti is working closely with the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct this voluntary recall.

Salmonella, which is usually found in food and water contaminated with animal feces, is an organism that 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. In rare circumstance, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis. Salmonella poisoning can lead to Reiter’s Syndrome, a difficult-to-treat reactive arthritis characterized by severe joint pain, irritation of the eyes, and painful urination. More T. Marzetti Recalls Dips for Potential Salmonella

Heartland Foods, Inc. of Indianapolis is voluntarily recalling all sizes and containers of COARSE GROUND BLACK PEPPER shipped from their facility at 6815 E. 34th Street, Indianapolis Indiana, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) just announced.

Potential distribution took place on or after October 19th, 2009 to February 17th, 2010. These products, said the FDA, have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. More Black Pepper Recalled Over Salmonella Fears

Late last year we wrote that the Salmonella outbreak in Alamosa, Colorado was the result of a faulty drinking water storage tank and animal waste. A report from the state of Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment indicates that the city of Alamosa neglected to act on a long-standing recommendation to inspect a deteriorating drinking water tank, said 9News, previously. The recommendation was made years prior to the 2008 Salmonella outbreak that caused hundreds to fall ill and resulted in one death.

According to the report, said 9News, animal waste was the likely culprit in an in-ground storage tank contamination that was “identified as a problem in 1997.” In addition to the fatality, the outbreak in 2008 sickened 442, according to reports; however, state health officials believe the number was closer to 1,300 residents—of the some 8,900, residents, said 9News. Of those sickened, about 40 percent were infants, said the Denver Post. More Colorado Town Sued Over Salmonella-Tainted Water

Last year, we followed a series of recalls that began in March and that involved Union International Food Company (UIFC) pepper. Now, Mercury News is writing that the family of one woman who died from Salmonellosis, the infection caused by the Salmonella pathogen, is suing the spice manufacturer.

The lawsuit, filed last week in Alameda County Superior Court, is against U.F. Union International Food and the companies that sold its products, said Mercury News. Last year, UIFC recalled its Lian How and Uncle Chen spice brands, which were linked to a multi-state outbreak following the discovery of Salmonella in food samples collected from restaurants and food distributors. The FDA said that the recall was the result of testing conducted on a shipment of peppers purchased around September 2008 and which revealed that the finished products contained the Salmonella bacteria. More Salmonella Death Prompts Lawsuit Against Spice Producer

Johnny’s Fine Foods of Tacoma, Washington is recalling its French Dip Powdered Au Jus in six-ounce bottles and French Dip Powdered Au Jus in 1.1-ounce foil packets, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just announced. To date, no known illnesses have been associated with these recalled products.

Johnny’s French Dip Powdered Au Jus six-ounce product is distributed nationwide, is sold in retail stores, and is packaged in a clear plastic bottle with a red, white, and blue label. The expiration date for this product is 0332. More Johnny’s Fine Food Recalls French Dip Powdered Au Jus Over Potential Salmonella

We recently wrote that Trader Joe’s Co., located in Monrovia, California, issued a recall of select lot codes of its 7.4-ounce boxes of Chocolate Chip Chewy Coated Granola Bars over concerns that the product could be tainted with the Salmonella pathogen. Now, Trader Joe’s is expanding its recall over concerns the product could be contaminated with the dangerous, sometimes deadly, Salmonella pathogen.

Now, the Associated Press (AP) is reporting that Trader Joe’s voluntarily expanded its recall of its Chocolate Chip Chewy Coated Granola Bars (SKU 82818) to include all code dates manufactured by Bloomfield Bakery. Bloomfield Bakery is a subsidiary of Ralcorp Holdings Inc., and manufacturer of the recalled bars, said the Daily News. The AP said that customers with questions may contact the firm’s customer relations department Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Eastern Time, at 1-626-599-3817. More Trader Joe’s Recalls More Granola Bars for Salmonella

Wholesome Spice of Brooklyn, New York is recalling all lots of its 25-pound boxes of Crushed Red Pepper sold between April 6, 2009 and January 20, 2010, due to a potential Salmonella contamination, announced the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The 25-pound boxes of Crushed Red Pepper were distributed in the Northeastern United States; the product was not sold to consumers at the retail level.

The Crushed Red Pepper product is packaged in a clear plastic bag, which is placed inside of a cardboard box with an adhesive white label with a blue border and blue and black lettering. The brand name on the product labels is WHOLESOME SPICES. The product name is listed as CRUSHED RED PEPPER. More Red Pepper Recalled, May Be Associated With Multi-State Salmonella Outbreak

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced two separate Granola Bar recalls, both linked to potential Salmonella contamination. Both recalls were implemented as a result of another recall initiated by Thumb Oilseed Producers, which provided an ingredient believed to be contaminated with the Salmonella pathogen.

Salmonella is an organism that 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. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. More Salmonella Prompts More Granola Bar Recalls