WorldVariety Produce, Inc. of Los Angeles, California has just recalled its Serrano Peppers over concerns that the peppers have the potential to be contaminated with the dangerous, sometimes deadly <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/food_poisoning">Salmonella pathogen, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just announced.
Although no illnesses have been reported, to date, in connection with this food recall, it can take some time for the symptoms of Salmonella poisoning—Salmonellosis—to manifest.
The affected Serrano Peppers were isolated to 300 cases from Lot # 69073901, product of Mexico.
This recall extends only to Walmart stores in Wisconsin, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming as well as to Jewel-Osco stores in Illinois. The affected Serrano peppers were sold from bulk displays between the dates of March 1, 2011 through March 18, 2011.
The recall was as the result of a routine sampling program by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria. World Variety Produce, Inc. has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA, the California Department of Public Health, and World Variety Produce, Inc. continues their investigation into the origin of the contamination.
Consumers who have purchased the recalled Serrano peppers are asked to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. World Variety Produce, Inc. can be reached, toll-free, at 1.800.588.0151 Monday through Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Pacific Standard Time.
Salmonella-contaminated food and products may not look or smell spoiled; however, consumption of products contaminated with the Salmonella bacteria may cause the foodborne illness known as Salmonellosis. Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning, which can take some time to become apparent, include fever, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea and usually last four to seven days.
Most persons recover without antibiotic treatment; however, the diarrhea can be severe, and hospitalization may be required. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems may develop more serious illness with the infection potentially spreading from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites; this can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.
