California Firm Recalls Spices over Salmonella Risk

WASHINGTONThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that Union International Food Co. of Union City, Calif., is recalling 15-pound and smaller size packages of the Lian How brand spices and Uncle Chen brand white pepper and black pepper in 5-ounce retail containers due to the possibility of Salmonella contamination.

Officials investigating a multistate Salmonella outbreak isolated Salmonella from an open container of Lian How White Pepper, which was found at a restaurant where some outbreak victims ate.

The Lian How brand spices are distributed in California, Oregon and Washington to wholesalers, distributors, restaurant suppliers and restaurants. The Lian How brand products are packaged in 10- or 15-pound boxes with plastic liners, 5-pound plastic jars or 5-pound plastic bags, 2.2-pound foil bags of Wasabi powder. The Lian How brand products are not generally sold directly to the retail consumer. The Uncle Chen brand white and black pepper products are sold at retail in 5-ounce containers.

To view a copy of the complete recall, click here.