Black Peppercorns Recalled Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination

Sprout Farmers Markets and Frontier Organic Spices are recalling containers of black peppercorns after random testing completed by FDA came up positive for Salmonella.  The pepper was reportedly treated (steam pasteurization) and then tested before use by Frontier.  No illnesses have been reported.

 

So what questions could be asked?

• Did the steam pasteurization step perform to the level needed to eliminate Salmonella?  One could at microbial test results for other indicators such as generic E. coli, coliforms, and even APC?  Also, it is important to conduct large sample testing of the peppercorns from this and other lots.
• Was the product potentially contaminated after the processing, perhaps during handling and repackaging?  Are potential sources of contamination also handled within the peppercorn processing environment?  Is environmental testing done, and hopefully if so, did those results indicate any issues?  It will be important for the facility to conduct extensive testing of the processing environment including preoperational and in-process testing looking for Salmonella as well as indicators (coliforms and/or Enterobacteriaceae).
• Did the laboratory complete the verification testing correctly? 

  As we know, Salmonella can survive in dry environments (and products) for long periods of time.

 

FDA Recall Notice

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm391996.htm

Frontier Natural Products Co-op Initiates Voluntary Class 1 Recall Due to Possible Health Risk from Organic Black Peppercorns

 

Contact

Consumer:

1-800-669-3275

 Media:

Anne Rierson, anne.rierson@frontiercoop.com

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 4, 2014 - Frontier Natural Products Co-op is voluntarily recalling several of its products manufactured with organic black peppercorns that were sold under its Frontier and Simply Organic brands, Whole Foods Market 365 Everyday Value, and others due to potential Salmonella contamination. To date, no illnesses have been associated with these products.

 

While the product in question was steam pasteurized at the source and tested negative for Salmonella by Frontier Natural Products Co-op, there is a small risk that Salmonella may still be present based on a positive, random test that was recently conducted. Frontier Natural Products Co-op is immediately initiating added precautions to the safety of the supply chain to mitigate any future occurrence.

 

Consumption of products containing Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms) endocarditic and arthritis.

 

Recalled products were sold in all 50 states and in some parts of Canada to distributors, retailers and consumers. Below is the list of products containing the organic black peppercorn:

Brand	Full Product Name	Size/Weight	UPC Code	Lot Code
Frontier	Peppercorns Black Whole Black Organic	2.12oz	0-89836-18435-1	3246, 3288
Frontier	Peppercorns Black Whole Black Organic	25lbs	0-89836-82603-9	3226, 3288
Frontier	Peppercorns Black Whole Black Organic	16oz	0-89836-02603-3	3256
Whole Foods Market 365 Everyday Value	365 Organic Peppercorns, Black Whole	2.12oz	0-99482-44563-8	3246, 3287
Whole Foods Market 365 Everyday Value	365 Peppercorns, Black Whole	1.87oz	0-99482-44497-6	3287
Whole Foods Market 365 Everyday Value	365 Value Size Peppercorns, Black Whole	8.08oz	0-99482-44511-9	3260, 3267
Whole Foods Market 365 Everyday Value	365 Organic Black Peppercorns	2.12oz	0-99482-73914-0	3247
Simply Organic	Black Pepper Grinder	75grams	0-89836-19218-9	3260
Simply Organic	Black Peppercorns Organic	75grams	0-89836-19210-3	3221, 3262, 3294
Simply Organic	Black Pepper Whole Organic	2.65oz	0-89836-18524-2	3221, 3262
Simply Organic	Daily Grind, Certified Organic	2.65oz	0-89836-18263-0	3261

 

On foil bulk packages, the lot codes will be found on the front label directly above the UPC code. On bottled glass and plastic items, the lot codes can be found on the bottom of the bottle.

 

Frontier Natural Products Co-op is initiating recall notices to our accounts who received any of the above recalled products with instructions for returning or destroying the recalled products and for notifying their customers of the recall. Consumers should not consume these products.

 

Please contact Frontier with any questions or to inquire about replacement or reimbursement at 1-800-669-3275 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central time.

 

Images of the products above can be seen by going to the following link: http://www.frontiercoop.com/recall.




FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm391991.htm
Sprouts Farmers Market Recalls Organic Black Peppercorns Due to Possible Health Risk

Contact
Consumer:
(480) 814-8016
customerrelations@sprouts.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 4, 2014 - Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (the “Company”) is recalling Organic Black Peppercorns sold under the Sprouts brand name from all stores. This product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the elderly, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The recalled Organic Black Peppercorns were distributed to Sprouts Farmers Market stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah. No illnesses have been reported to date.

The product comes in a 2.12-ounce, clear glass jar marked with lot #3287 on the bottom of the container and with an expiration date of October 2016. Each container is identified with an individual label showing the Sprouts Farmers Market company logo, the description: Organic Black Peppercorns.

Sprouts Farmers Market initiated the recall after a sample taken during routine testing by the FDA revealed the presence of Salmonella in one lot of Organic Black Peppercorns. Upon learning of the sample result, the company immediately removed the following product from store shelves and initiated the process for its destruction:

Brand	Full Product Name	Size/Weight	UPC Code	Lot Code
Sprouts Farmers Market	Organic Black Peppercorns	2.12oz	8-74875-00425-4	3287

As an extra precautionary measure, the company is voluntarily recalling the following items from its grocery shelves and bulk departments:

Brand	Full Product Name	Size/Weight	UPC Code	Lot Code
Frontier	Organic Whole Black Peppercorns	16oz	0-89836-02603-3	3256
Sprouts Farmers Market	Organic Black Peppercorns	2.12oz	8-74875-00425-4	3246
Simply Organic	Whole Black Peppercorns	2.65oz	0-89836-18524-2	3221, 3262

Customers who have purchased any of the products mentioned in this release are urged not to use or consume them and return them to any Sprouts Farmers Market for a full refund. Customer safety and product integrity is of the utmost importance to Sprouts Farmers Market. The company is committed to alerting our customers of hazardous or defective products in a timely and accurate manner.

Customers with questions may contact Sprouts Farmers Market’s Customer Relations Department Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm PST at (480) 814-8016 or email us at customerrelations@sprouts.com.

About Sprouts Farmers Market
Sprouts Farmers Market is a healthy grocery store offering fresh, natural and organic foods at great prices. We offer a complete shopping experience that includes fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, packaged groceries, meat and seafood, baked goods, dairy products, frozen foods, natural body care and household items catering to consumers' growing interest in health and wellness. Recently named one of the top five supermarket chains by Consumer Reports and headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Sprouts Farmers Market employs more than 15,000 team members and operates more than 170 stores in nine states.