Black Pepper May Be Contaminated With Salmonella

Spices image c/o Pak National Foods

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Pak National Foods are a large food distributor whose products -- particularly spices, nuts, and dried fruit -- are ubiquitous on store shelves in Alberta and British Columbia, so this contamination warning could affect many people.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and PakNational Foods Limited are warning the public not to consume the National BlackPepper Powder described below because the product may be contaminated withSalmonella.

The affected product, National Black Pepper Powder, product of Pakistan, issold in a 50 g package bearing UPC 6 20514 00077 0 and B.B. END MAY. 2010.

This product has been distributed in Alberta and British Columbia.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption ofthis product.

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled.Consumption of food contaminated with this bacteria may cause salmonellosis, afoodborne illness. In young children, the elderly and people with weakenedimmune systems, salmonellosis may cause serious and sometimes deadlyinfections. In otherwise healthy people, salmonellosis may cause short-termsymptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal painand diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

The importer, Pak National Foods Limited, Richmond, British Columbia, isvoluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring theeffectiveness of the recall.