FDA warns processors of basil recall
FDA warns processors of basil recall
WASHINGTON Federal food safety officials warned processors and repackers about a recall of basil after saying a California company was not doing enough to alert its consignees to the problem.
Majestic International Spice Corp. in Montebello, CA, is recalling its dehydrated Extra Fancy Basil in 12.5-kilogram bags because FDA said that it found the product contaminated with Salmonella Blockley during routine sampling.
"FDA is issuing this advisory because we are concerned that the firm has not adequately alerted its consignees to the problem," according to the agency's Aug. 26 press statement.
The eight-year-old firm supplies herbs and spices to wholesalers, distributors, packers, gourmet stores, restaurants, institutions and foodservice companies. But the company said that tests showed no Salmonella in samples analyzed by private laboratories. Majestic tested the product when it came into the United States and then again after FDA expressed concerns. In both cases, Majestic received certificates of a clean product. It began distributing the dried basil only to receive notice from FDA that it had tested positive. An official with the company said it has been alerting customers to the recall, despite FDAs comments that the company was not doing enough, and has yet to receive a certificate from FDA showing the product tested positive for Salmonella.
The only identification on the 12.5-kilogram paper bags is a white paper label stating Extra Fancy Basil 12.5 Kgs. A company official said that more than 6,000 pounds of the product were distributed to customers mostly in California and Nevada from March to June. The firm has ceased distribution of the product, and FDA was instructing processors and repackers who received the product to stop using it and contact their local FDA office.
In other news, FDA has apparently traced the source of fresh basil linked to a large outbreak of cyclospora contamination in Florida. The tainted basil has been traced to an unnamed grower in Peru, according to the Produce Marketing Association.
In June, Florida health officials asked FDA to start tracing the origin of fresh basil that was believed to have sickened more than 300 people across the state.
FDA said they are reasonably certain that the contamination occurred prior to entry into the U.S. FDA officials noted that because it was fresh basil that was implicated, it is highly unlikely that any of the tainted product is still in the distribution system or marketplace, according to PMA.
FDA officials have met with the grower and importer, who have voluntarily ceased shipments until the processes or mechanisms are in place to prevent future contamination, said PMA. FDA officials plan to visit the grower to attempt to determine the cause of the contamination.
Majestic International Spice Corp. in Montebello, CA, is recalling its dehydrated Extra Fancy Basil in 12.5-kilogram bags because FDA said that it found the product contaminated with Salmonella Blockley during routine sampling.
"FDA is issuing this advisory because we are concerned that the firm has not adequately alerted its consignees to the problem," according to the agency's Aug. 26 press statement.
The eight-year-old firm supplies herbs and spices to wholesalers, distributors, packers, gourmet stores, restaurants, institutions and foodservice companies. But the company said that tests showed no Salmonella in samples analyzed by private laboratories. Majestic tested the product when it came into the United States and then again after FDA expressed concerns. In both cases, Majestic received certificates of a clean product. It began distributing the dried basil only to receive notice from FDA that it had tested positive. An official with the company said it has been alerting customers to the recall, despite FDAs comments that the company was not doing enough, and has yet to receive a certificate from FDA showing the product tested positive for Salmonella.
The only identification on the 12.5-kilogram paper bags is a white paper label stating Extra Fancy Basil 12.5 Kgs. A company official said that more than 6,000 pounds of the product were distributed to customers mostly in California and Nevada from March to June. The firm has ceased distribution of the product, and FDA was instructing processors and repackers who received the product to stop using it and contact their local FDA office.
In other news, FDA has apparently traced the source of fresh basil linked to a large outbreak of cyclospora contamination in Florida. The tainted basil has been traced to an unnamed grower in Peru, according to the Produce Marketing Association.
In June, Florida health officials asked FDA to start tracing the origin of fresh basil that was believed to have sickened more than 300 people across the state.
FDA said they are reasonably certain that the contamination occurred prior to entry into the U.S. FDA officials noted that because it was fresh basil that was implicated, it is highly unlikely that any of the tainted product is still in the distribution system or marketplace, according to PMA.
FDA officials have met with the grower and importer, who have voluntarily ceased shipments until the processes or mechanisms are in place to prevent future contamination, said PMA. FDA officials plan to visit the grower to attempt to determine the cause of the contamination.
