Sesame paste that was distributed in 20 states has been recalled over possible salmonella contamination, officials said.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that Turkana Food Inc. of Kenilworth, New Jersey, recalled 858 cases of its Aleppo Tahini Sesame Paste.
The recalled product is sold in a 16-ounce plastic jar with a gold lid and gold label marker that says Aleppo Sesame Paste Tahini. The expiration date on the recalled product is August 2026 and they have LOT# 120824-01 on the top of the jar, and UPC Label 854643003054 on the side of the jar.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture discovered the product tested positive for salmonella during a routine sampling, prompting the recall.
Turkana Food has stopped producing and distributing the product as the company and the FDA investigate the cause of the problem.
According to the FDA, salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in children, elderly people and people with weak immune systems.
“Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain,” the FDA said. “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."
There have been no illnesses connected to this product recall.
The recalled product was distributed in Michigan, along with Florida, Kentucky, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Texas, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, Alabama, Missouri and California.
Consumers who purchased the sesame paste should not consume it. The product can be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Anyone with questions can contact Turkana Foods Inc. at 908-810-8800 or info@turkanafood.com.
