Update Issued On Black Bean Tortilla Recall

United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) just announced a correction to its previously announced recall of select Gentes Foods Gordita Black Bean Tortillas, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just wrote. The Gentes Foods Gordita Black Bean Tortillas have been recalled due to a lack of temperature control during the distribution process. UNFI inadvertently subjected the recalled tortillas to temperature ranges above those directed by the manufacturer, which could pose a botulism risk.

The recall update is meant to correct the previously stated date code of 12 7 11, which should be 11 6 11. Gentes Foods 10-ounce Gordita Black Bean Tortillas with this date code and UPC 618032102021 are involved in the recall. The revised date code can be found on a white sticker on the packaging. These date codes sold at other retail outlets have not been affected because the products were not exposed to a lack of refrigeration controls; the previously announced date code of 12 7 11 is also safe to consume. Gentes Foods Gordita Black Bean Tortillas are packed as 6 tortillas in a vacuum packaged clear sleeve. As previously announced, Gentes Foods Gordita Black Bean Tortillas were distributed to the Safeway and Pak N Save stores in California, as follows:

• Safeway #1110: 1546 N Main, Salinas
• Safeway #2840: 2010 Freedom Boulevard, Watsonville
• Pak N Save #3116: 2255 Gellert Boulevard, South San Francisco
• Pak N Save #3125: 3889 San Pablo Avenue, Emeryville

UNFI issued the recall of its Gentes Foods Gordita Black Bean Tortillas with date code 11 6 11 over concerns about potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum, a dangerous bacterium that has been implicated in life-threatening food borne illness, some of which ended in death. Consumers are warned not to use the product, even if it does not look or smell spoiled.
No illnesses have been reported, to date; however, the symptoms of botulism poisoning can take some time to manifest. In food borne botulism, symptoms generally begin 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food, but can occur as early as 6 hours or as late as 10 days later. A tiny amount of the toxin is sufficient to lead to very severe poisoning.

Botulism symptoms can include a range of symptoms including general weakness, dizziness, double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech and trouble with speaking or swallowing, dry mouth, breathing difficulty, muscle weakness and muscle weakness that could initiate at the shoulders and that moves down the body, abdominal distension, and constipation. Infants with botulism appear lethargic, feed poorly, are constipated, and have a weak cry and poor muscle tone; this all relates to the muscle paralysis caused by the bacterial toxin. If untreated, botulism symptoms may progress to cause paralysis of the respiratory muscles, arms, legs, and trunk.

Botulism poisoning is extremely neurotoxic and can cause paralysis of breathing muscles, which can lead to death without treatment and respiratory ventilation in about eight percent of cases. People with compromised immune systems, the elderly, and children have a higher risk for botulism symptoms. Complications can include infection and aspiration pneumonia, long-term weakness, respiratory distress, and long-term nervous system problems. While antibiotics are often used in treatment, they do not always resolve the food borne illness.

Consumers who purchased Gentes Foods Gordita Black Bean Tortillas from the stores involved and with the date code mentioned, should not consume these products, and are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Lisa Madsen of UNFI can be reached at 1.401.528.8634, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.