Conagra swiftly recalled its Hunt’s chili kits upon discovering possible salmonella contamination in a seasoning packet. Given the hefty $11.2 million penalty the company faced last year over contaminated Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter, they recognized the urgency of the situation. Foods often associated with salmonella include raw or undercooked eggs, raw milk, tainted water, and undercooked meats. The CDC also identifies ground beef, tuna, pork, tomatoes, sprouts, and peanut butter as other potential sources.
While seasoning packets are generally not perceived as a common source of contamination, a recent investigation by the Food and Drug Administration revealed that approximately 6.6% of spices imported into the United States test positive for salmonella upon arrival. The FDA reports that many companies treat their spices for contaminants before they are packaged and sold. They are currently assessing how many of these contaminated spices actually reach consumers.
In the United States, salmonella is estimated to cause around 1 million foodborne illnesses each year. The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) has been working to tackle this issue, with new food defense guidelines aimed at improving safety. This recall highlights that FSMA also addresses individual ingredients. The FSMA foreign supplier verification program, set to begin on May 30, will further help reduce the importation of contaminated products, including spices.
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