Watkins Incorporated, of Winona Minnesota, is recalling 306 units of its individual 4.6-ounce containers and 283 units of its 0.9-ounce packages of Crab Snack & Dip Seasoning food because the products have the potential to be contaminated with <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/food_poisoning">Salmonella, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) just announced.
The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the supplier of a raw material used in the Crab Snack & Dip Seasoning. Kerry Ingredients & Flavours products manufactured with HVP (hydrolyzed vegetable protein) supplied by Basic Food Flavors Inc, revealed the presence of Salmonella, which is used in the 4.6-ounce and 0.9-ounce packages of Crab Snack & Dip Seasoning.
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 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. 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.
The recalled Crab Snack & Dip Seasonings was distributed only through Watkins network of independent contractors, associates, as well as through mail orders.
The product comes in a 4.6-ounce, clear glass package marked with lot #39554 on the side of the package. This product also comes in a 0.9-ounce, silver foil pouch marked with lot #40261 on the bottom of the package.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem, and production of the product has been suspended while FDA and the company continue investigation as to the source of the problem.
Consumers who have purchased the 4.6-ounce or 0.9-ounce packages of Crab Snack & Dip Seasoning are urged to return them to the original place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company, toll-free, at 1-800-243-9423.
We have been following the growing number of recalls linked to Salmonella contamination at Basic Food Flavors Inc. in Nevada. As of our last report, recalls exceeded 100 products; however, Bloomberg News, citing a Consumers Union scientist, said the number could top 10,000 products.
The FDA also announced it is actively investigating findings of Salmonella Tennessee in HVP manufactured by Basic Food Flavors. HVP is a flavor enhancer used in a wide variety of processed food products and that is also often blended with other spices to make seasonings used in or on foods. A complete list of affected products can be found at http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/HVPCP/.
