United Natural Foods, Inc. is recalling select FoodMatch, Inc. Divina Stuffed Olives and Tabatchnick Yankee Bean Soup over concerns the food has the potential to be contaminated with the very dangerous, sometimes deadly, Clostridium botulinum pathogen, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just announced. Clostridium botulinum can lead to the foodborne disease commonly known […]
United Natural Foods, Inc. is recalling select FoodMatch, Inc. <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/food_poisoning">Divina Stuffed Olives and Tabatchnick Yankee Bean Soup over concerns the food has the potential to be contaminated with the very dangerous, sometimes deadly, Clostridium botulinum pathogen, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just announced. Clostridium botulinum can lead to the foodborne disease commonly known as botulism.
United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) recalled these items due to a lack of temperature control during the distribution process. UNFI inadvertently subjected the recall items to temperature ranges above those directed by the manufacturer.
Consumers are warned not to use the recalled FoodMatch, Inc. Divina Stuffed Olives and Tabatchnick Yankee Bean Soup even if the food does not look or smell spoiled. And, while no illnesses have been reported, to date, botulism, as with most other foodborne illnesses, can take some time to manifest with symptoms.
As we’ve long explained, botulism symptoms can include general weakness, dizziness, double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech and trouble with speaking or swallowing, and dry mouth. Difficulty in breathing; weakness of other muscles—for instance, muscle weakness that starts at the shoulders and moves progressively down the body—abdominal distension, and constipation may also be common symptoms.
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, these symptoms may progress to cause paralysis of the respiratory muscles, arms, legs, and trunk. In foodborne 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. A very small amount of the toxin is sufficient to lead to very severe poisoning.
The following products have been recalled:
Tabatchnick Yankee Bean Soup
Packaged in a red and white boxed container with black lettering; is approximately 15 ounces; and was distributed to the Safeway store in Corte Madera, California. The date code affected states: Best If Used By 05 04 14. This date code sold at other retail outlets has not been affected.
Divina 4-Ounce Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives
Packaged in plastic 4-ounce cup containers with a blue and yellow label and date code: Best Used By: 11 JAN 2012. The recalled product was distributed to the following Safeway stores; this date code sold at other outlets is not affected:
• Safeway 0583: 1606 North Avenue, Spearfish, South Dakota
• Safeway 1577: 6520 South Academy Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Safeway 1615: 3325 28th Street, Boulder, Colorado
• Safeway 1644: 7655 McLaughlin Road, Falcon, Colorado
• Safeway 2761: 1165 Main Street, Lander, Wyoming
• Safeway 2792: 27152 Main Street, Conifer, Colorado
• Safeway 2910: 1632 Hover Road Longmont, Colorado
Divina 4-Ounce Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives
Packaged in plastic 4-ounce cup containers with a blue label; distributed to Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada, South Dakota, Colorado, and Wyoming through Carrs, Safeway, Pavilion, and Vons; and with the following date codes:
 Best Used By: 11 JAN 2012, Best Used By: 15 DEC 2011, Best Used By: 30 DEC 2011. These date codes sold at other retail outlets have not been affected.
Consumers who purchased the recalled Yankee Bean Soup or Divina Feta Cheese or Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives 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, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Of significant note, 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 foodborne illness.