U.S. food regulators announced a voluntary recall on Thursday of food made with hydrolyzed vegetable protein, a common flavoring, due to a potential salmonella contamination.
The flavoring is used in soups, sauces, hot dogs, snack foods, dressings and dips and is made by privately held Basic Food Flavors Inc of Las Vegas, Nevada.
FDA officials are unaware of any illnesses at this time, but are warning that the extent of the recall will grow over the next several weeks.
A handful of companies have recalled products ranging from dips, potato chips and dressings to tofu, burritos and pasta. They include T. Marzetti, a unit of Lancaster Colony Corp, which said on March 1 it was recalling various dips.
The FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Agriculture Department are working with Nevada state health officials on the outbreak, Hamburg told reporters.
The FDA said it collected and analyzed samples at the Nevada facility and confirmed the presence of Salmonella Tennessee in the companys processing equipment. The company is recalling all hydrolyzed vegetable protein in powder and paste form that it has produced since September 17, 2009.
Salmonella can cause severe illness in the very young, very old and frail. It causes fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain and in the most vulnerable can cause a bloodstream infection and organ failure.
If you have become seriously ill as a result of salmonella poisoning, you may be eligible for compensation. For more information, contact an injury lawyer at PKSD today for your free, initial consultation. We charge no upfront fees if we handle your claim.
PKSD – Ph: 414-333-3333.
