Black Pepper Recalled Over Potential Salmonella Contamination

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in White Oak, Md., on June 5, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

Michigan-based UBC Food Distributors has recalled black pepper products due to the potential risk of salmonella contamination, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The recalled ground black pepper was being sold under the “Baraka” brand name.

The product was sold in a 7-ounce clear plastic package with an expiry date of January 2026. The item was distributed across the United States. The recall was initiated as the product “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,” the FDA stated.

Healthy individuals infected with the bacteria can 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 agency said.

The recall notice asked consumers who purchased the item to return it for a full refund. Customers who have questions about the recall can get in touch with the company at 313-846-8117. Images of the item have been published on the FDA website.

Concerns about the recalled product being contaminated arose after a product sample tested by authorities returned positive for salmonella contamination.

No illnesses have been reported so far in connection with the product. Manufacturing has been suspended while the FDA and the company continue investigating the source of the problem.

On June 1, the FDA recalled certain batches of cucumbers sold by Florida-based Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. due to concerns about salmonella contamination.

While the cucumbers are unlikely to be in the marketplace, people who have bought the items should not consume them, the notice warned. The recalled cucumbers were shipped to 14 states between May 17 and May 21.

According to estimates by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), salmonella causes roughly 1.35 million infections annually in the United States, with 26,500 hospitalizations and 420 deaths. Food is the source of most of the illnesses.

Symptoms of infection typically begin six hours to six days after being infected and can last for four to seven days. Most people recover without any specific treatment.

Outbreaks in 2024

According to the CDC, there have been two salmonella outbreaks this year. The first led to a food safety alert on April 19. The outbreak was linked to fresh basil, with 12 illnesses, and one hospitalization confirmed. No deaths were reported. The outbreak had affected seven states.

Two brands of fresh organic basil were blamed for the spread of salmonella—Infinite Herbs and Melissa. Both items were pulled out of stores and were no longer available for sale as of the April update.

The CDC posted about a second salmonella outbreak on May 23, this time linked to backyard poultry. The outbreak resulted in 109 infected cases and 33 hospitalizations across 29 states. No deaths were reported.

“Backyard poultry, such as chickens and ducks, can carry Salmonella germs even if they look healthy and clean. These germs can easily spread to anything in the areas where the poultry live and roam,” the CDC said.

“You can get sick from touching your backyard poultry or anything in their environment and then touching your mouth or food and swallowing Salmonella germs.”

The agency advised people to always wash their hands with soap and water immediately after touching backyard poultry, eggs, or anything in the area where the creatures live or roam.

It asked parents to ensure that children younger than 5 years of age do not touch backyard poultry, ducklings, and chicks. “Young children are more likely to get sick from germs like Salmonella,” the CDC warned.

The FDA is still investigating these two outbreaks.

Last year, there were five salmonella outbreaks linked to cantaloupes, fresh diced onions, diced beef, raw cookie dough, and flour.

The CDC points out that salmonella illness is more common in the summer. Warm weather and unrefrigerated foods can create conditions for the bacteria to grow. The agency advised people to refrigerate or freeze foods that are likely to spoil quickly, prepared goods, and leftovers within two hours.

It suggested that salmonella illness is far more widespread than usually suspected.

“For every person with a Salmonella illness confirmed by a laboratory test, there are about 30 more people with Salmonella illnesses that are not reported,” the agency said.

The CDC advises that antibiotics be only used when “needed and exactly as prescribed” to prevent the spread of salmonella that are resistant to these medications.

“Resistance to essential antibiotics is increasing in Salmonella, which can limit treatment options for people with severe infections. One way to slow down the development of antimicrobial resistance is by appropriate use of antibiotics,” it stated.