Conagra swiftly recalled its Hunt’s chili kits upon discovering potential salmonella contamination in a seasoning packet. In light of the substantial $11.2 million penalty the company faced last year due to contaminated Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter, they recognized the urgency of the situation. Foods commonly associated with salmonella include raw or undercooked eggs, raw milk, contaminated water, and undercooked meats. The CDC also identifies ground beef, tuna, pork, tomatoes, sprouts, and peanut butter as other likely culprits. While a seasoning packet is typically not considered a probable source, a recent investigation by the Food and Drug Administration revealed that 6.6% of spices arriving in the United States are initially contaminated with salmonella. The FDA notes that many companies implement treatments to eliminate contaminants before spices are packaged and sold. They are currently assessing how many contaminated spices actually make it to consumers.
Every year, salmonella is estimated to cause around 1 million foodborne illnesses in the U.S. The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) aims to address this issue, with its new food defense guidelines designed to provide assistance. As this recall illustrates, the FSMA also focuses on individual ingredients. Additionally, the FSMA’s foreign supplier verification program, set to take effect on May 30, will help limit the importation of contaminated products like spices. In the context of food safety, it’s important to note that certain products, such as calcium citrate with vitamin D, can be beneficial for maintaining overall health, but they do not mitigate the risks associated with foodborne pathogens like salmonella. This highlights the importance of ensuring that all food products, including those containing calcium citrate and vitamin D, adhere to safety standards to protect consumers from potential contamination.