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Cilantro Recalled Due to Salmonella

By Dan Flynn and Suzanna Schreck

A Salinas, CA company is recalling fresh cilantro after Salmonella was detected during a USDA Microbiology Data Program test. 
Sabor Farms said the cilantro was sold in California and "several other states" from Jan. 14-28 under the labels Nature's Reward, Ocean Mist, Tanimura & Antle and Queen Victoria.
Consumers should note that the cilantro bunches do not contain identifying lot codes. Each bunch is sold with a distinctive, but general twist-tie for cilantro. Samples of the four relevant twist ties are pictured here.
For purposes of retailers and distributors, the packaging from which test samples were taken did have specific lot codes that allowed for product traceback to the specific farm and harvest dates (Jan. 13-14, 2011). The potentially affected products are:
-- Nature's Reward label 05013 22/ 16 10 and 05014 22/ 16 10,-- Ocean Mist label 16 cisf 1j / 2 0113 11 and 16 cisf 1j / 2 011411,-- Tanimura & Antle label 22 01 13 151348 and 22 01 14 151348 and-- Queen Victoria label 16520142 / 16 10 22 and 16520132 / 16 10 22.
Sabor Farms has contacted the four companies that received potentially affected lots of cilantro and confirmed that no product remains in their inventories. 
In a news release, Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), said health officials are concerned that while the contaminated cilantro may no longer be available in retail stores, consumers may still have some in their homes. Consumers in possession of this contaminated cilantro should not eat it.
To date, no illnesses have been reported. 
Symptoms of Salmonella infection include fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea which may be bloody. Most infected people recover within a week. Some may develop complications that require hospitalization. Infants, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at highest risk for more severe illness. People who develop symptoms of Salmonella infection after consuming cilantro should consult their health care provider.
Consumers who have concerns may contact Sabor Farms at 831-970-9754 or by email at info@saborfarms.com .
Sabor Farms has received no complaints, but chooses to proactively withdraw any cilantro and to notify the public as a precautionary measure. Company president William Quinlan issued the following statement:
"The safety of our consumers is always our top priority. Period. Even though it is unlikely this would pose a health concern, we believe the prudent and proper course of action is to pull the product back. Using product and shipping codes, we are working closely with health officials as well as our distributors and wholesalers to quickly and efficiently locate and dispose of the cilantro. If there is any question about the source of cilantro you should discard it, and any items prepared with it." Consumers who observe the product being offered for sale are encouraged to report the activity to the CDPH toll-free, complaint line at 800-495-3232.

Full post as published by Food Safety News on February 01, 2011 (boomark / email).