Several Spice Hunter Products by Sauer Brands Recalled Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination
Several Spice Hunter products are currently being recalled by supplier Sauer Brands due to potential Salmonella contamination. According to Sauer Brands, although the company conducts regulatory food safety testing on raw materials and found no traces of Salmonella bacteria, they were notified by the supplier of potential Salmonella contamination in their organic parsley. The specific lots of organic parsley that are potentially contaminated were only used in production for two days; thus, Sauer Brands has initiated a recall for both the contaminated organic parsley and all other spices that were also in production during those two days to avoid cross contamination. The spices were sold in clear glass jars and labeled with lot codes 20217C, 20220C, 20269C and 20270C. The full list of recalled spices can be found here.
The Spice Hunter Products were distributed online through spicehunter.com, as well as in retail stores in the following states:Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
Customers are advised to not consume the products, rather they can return them to the store of purchase for a full refund. In a comment by National Salmonella Lawyer Ron Simon, he urged consumers:
“to always ask for a stool culture to confirm that they have contracted salmonellosis. That is the first step in alerting local health agencies of a potential outbreak.”
Consumers can reach Sauer Brands, Inc. at 1-800-444-3061, Monday thru Friday, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, regarding any questions over the recall. As of October 12, 2020, there have been no reported illnesses due to the contaminated products.
Symptoms of salmonellosis, the infection caused by Salmonella bacteria, include typical food poisoning symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and cramping, though some have also reported nausea, vomiting, and a headache. According to the CDC, symptoms of a Salmonella infection typically begin 1 to 3 days after ingesting the bacteria, though some report symptoms as early as 6 hours and as late as 6 days after ingestion. The majority of people recover from the infection without treatment, though those with a severe infection may need a treatment of antibiotics. People with weakened immune system, the elderly, pregnant women, and children, are more at risk for a severe infection. Some patients may need to be hospitalized due to dehydration from excessive diarrhea or due to the severity of their gastroenteritis. If you believe you are suffering from Salmonella poisoning, contact your doctor for the best course of treatment.