Staying Fit
Several brands of seasonings containing dried parsley were recalled by the supplier on Oct. 13 after a test sample was found to be potentially contaminated with salmonella, a bacteria that can cause serious illness and sometimes fatal infections in older adults.
The supplier, Red Monkey Foods, Inc., issued a voluntary recall on its organic parsley flakes and Herbes de Provence blends with “best if used by” dates between March 11, 2023, and March 25, 2023. The products, sold in containers ranging from 0.3 ounces to 0.65 ounces, were shipped to stores in all 50 states and Puerto Rico under these brands: Cost Plus World Market, Great Value, O Organics and Full Circle. Retailers who carry these items include Walmart, World Market, Stater Bros, Lowes Foods, Schnucks and Albertsons-owned chains including Safeway. (View the full list of products affected.)
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As of Oct. 13 there have been no reported cases of illness from these items. However, customers who purchased the products are asked to throw them away or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
"Red Monkey Foods, Inc. is committed to providing food-safe, high-quality products and the safety and satisfaction of our consumers is the company's utmost priority,” the supplier said in a news release.
When the recall notice was distributed, Walmart alerted its stores and distribution centers to remove the affected products and placed a sales restriction on them, the company said. Great Value is Walmart's store brand.
Symptoms of Salmonella Infection
Salmonellosis, the intestinal infection caused by the bacteria, typically leads to diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. Severe cases can spread the infection from the intestines to urine, blood, bones, joints, spinal fluid or the brain. Symptoms begin six hours to six days after infection and can last up to seven days. However, in some instances, symptoms can appear weeks after infection or remain for several weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A confirmed diagnosis is made when a lab test determines if the bacteria is present in a person's stool, body tissue or fluids. Typically, most people can recover without an antibiotic, but treatment is recommended for anyone with severe illness. Infected adults over age 65 (or over 50 if an underlying condition such as heart disease is present), infants and those with a weakened immune system are also advised to take an antibiotic.
Consumers with any questions may contact Red Monkey Foods’ customer service line at 417-319-7300 or by email at customerservice@redmonkeyfoods.com.
