The process entailed sourcing organic almond nuts, sprout them, dry them, grind them, and add flavors inspired by 'superfoods'. Sounds good, doesn't it. But, no reduction step for Salmonella. In fact, in sprouting the seeds, they may be encouraging growth.
Their website has all the key phrases...artisans, organic, yoga, and of course...SUPERFOODS. The nuts....handselected, and "free from pesticides, gluten, dairy, soy and processed sugar". (Oops, might be some Salmonella).
How would the consumers of this product recognize there may be risk? Nuts are a know source for Salmonella. But throw in some sprouting time...it multiples the risk. Drying does nothing to Salmonella, except to prepare it for the long journey in the jar until it reach's someone stomach.
FDA Website
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm475341.htm
JEM Raw Chocolate LLC Voluntarily Recalls Nut Butter Spread Products Due To Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
December 2, 2015
Contact Consumers JEM Raw Chocolate, LLC (541) 728-3844
Firm Press Release
View Product Photos
JEM Raw Chocolate, LLC (JEM Raw) of Bend, Oregon announced a voluntary recall of its full line of all nut butter spreads within expiry because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which 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), endocarditis and arthritis.
Health authorities, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), Center for Disease Control (CDC) have linked the illnesses to person(s) who have consumed nut spreads, including JEM Raw products. There have been eleven (11) illnesses reported but no deaths or hospitalizations to date.
In light of this investigation, and with an abundance of caution, JEM Raw has initiated a voluntary recall of all products and sizes, packaged in glass jars, and sold under brand name JEM Raw Organics.
The following products are recalled:
| Product Name | Net Weight (oz.) | UPC |
|---|---|---|
| Cashew Cardamom - Sprouted Cashew Almond Spread | 1 | 6 09728 97861 7 |
| Cinnamon Red Maca - Sprouted Almond Spread | 1 | 6 09728 97862 4 |
| Hazelnut Raw Cacao - Sprouted Hazelnut Spread | 1 | 6 09728 97865 5 |
| Superberry Maqui Camu - Sprouted Almond Spread | 1 | 6 09728 97864 8 |
| Cashew Cardamom - Sprouted Cashew Almond Spread | 6 | 6 09728 97860 0 |
| Cinnamon Red Maca - Sprouted Almond Spread | 6 | 6 09728 97848 8 |
| Hazelnut Raw Cacao -Sprouted Hazelnut Spread | 6 | 6 09728 97857 0 |
| Superberry Maqui Camu - Sprouted Almond Spread | 6 | 6 09728 97858 7 |
| Cashew Cardamom - Sprouted Cashew Almond Spread | 16 | 6 09728 97854 9 |
| Cinnamon Red Maca - Sprouted Almond Spread | 16 | 6 09728 97850 1 |
| Hazelnut Raw Cacao - Sprouted Hazelnut Spread | 16 | 6 09728 97851 8 |
| Superberry Maqui Camu - Sprouted Almond Spread | 16 | 6 09728 97852 5 |
JEM Raw is working with distributors and retailers to remove these products from retail shelves. Consumers do not need to return the product to the store where it was purchased. Instead, consumers should discard any product and its container. JEM Raw will work directly with each consumer to manage replacement of its product.
Additional details can be found at www.jemraw.com. Those with questions may contact JEM Raw Chocolate, LLC at (541) 728-3844 between 9am 4pm PST, Monday through Friday.
Jen Moore, co-founder and CEO, said, “We are taking these steps because consumer safety is our top priority. As a health food company, our customer’s health is our number one priority. Although no JEM Raw products have tested positive for Salmonella, we feel strongly that issuing a voluntary recall is the right thing to do. JEM is working closely with the FDA, ODA, and OHA to determine the root cause of the outbreak.”
https://www.jemraw.com/about-2/
OUR MISSION
JEM is a mission-driven company. We craft premium organic products, representing the highest standard of sustainability and transparency; promoting a healthy, delicious world.
OUR COMMITMENT
We craft premium, organic foods for the world market. All our ingredients are 100% OTC-USDA certified organic, non-GMO and vegan. We have voluntarily hired third party labs to test random samples of our JEM’s for any hidden pesticides, harmful heavy metals, microbes or pathogens. Our JEM’s have come up clean every time. Just for fun we also tested for any hidden gluten, of which, there was none. Our GMP (good manufacturing practice) is informed by our commitment to raw, nutrient-rich foods. We closely monitor the temperature and speed of our stone grinders and dehydrators. This means everything takes longer, but we know the result will be our creamy delicious and nutritious JEM.
ARTISANS
Each Founder brings unique talents and values to the crafting of our sprouted nut spreads–– committed to the highest quality product that serves the purpose of healthy happy individuals–– connecting community and benefiting the planet. Tim Moore, VP of Sales & resident Musician, has facilitated distribution of JEM to the UK, Canada, Chile, and Hong Kong. Jen Moore, CEO & Mother of three, holds a BS in Nutrition-Food Science and Exercise Physiology, and plays numerous roles including marketing, quality control and product development. Nik Rueth, COO & Yoga Enthusiast, runs the manufacturing infrastructure as well as recipe formulation of JEM’s signature products since day one.
THE JEM
From our Bend, Oregon factory, we handcraft our sprouted nut spreads in small batches, paying careful attention to each and every detail. We’ve perfected our sprouting, stone-grinding and blending processes so that our final product retains the richest flavor, smoothest texture and highest nutritional content
JEM INGREDIENTS
We source fair trade ingredients of the highest quality, including Spanish Almonds, which we hand-select for their exceptional flavor profile and raw integrity. Our ingredients are all 100% OTC-USDA Certified Organic, truly raw, and free from pesticides, gluten, dairy, soy and processed sugar, so you can indulge in JEM guilt-free.
SPROUTING
For maximum flavor and nutrient absorption, we sprout our nuts for 24 hours. During this sprouting process, phytic acid and enzyme-inhibitors are removed making the seed easier to digest and assimilate. After the nuts have sprouted, we dehydrate them, which takes another 24 hours in preparation for grinding and blending.
STONE-GRINDING
Stone-grinding is the secret behind JEM’s smooth texture. We grind at slow speeds to keep the ingredients raw, for optimal nutrient absorption and flavor. The process can take up to 48 hours, but the results are special. We grind each ingredient so that no particle exceeds 20 microns, which is the point where the human tongue can no longer detect texture.
BLENDING
We blend our nut butters into four flavors inspired by superfoods:
– Cinnamon Red Maca
– Superberry Maqui Camu
– Hazelnut Raw Cacao
– Cashew Cardamom
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