Salmonella Found in Wholesale Black Pepper

EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J.Van de Vries Spice Corp., a provider of spices to the wholesale food industry, announced the presence of Salmonella in one lot of ground organic black pepper that was shipped to U.S. and Canadian wholesale customers from October 2010 to May 2011. The finding is limited to 15,000 lbs. of whole and ground, steam-treated, imported organic black pepper. The pepper distributed bears the lot code MV16854-01. The standard method of distribution was a 50-lb. poly-lined carton bearing the Rose Red" brand.

Testing of the product prior to shipping resulted in negative findings. Subsequent testing by a wholesale customer indicated possible contamination, which was confirmed by further sampling of one lot by FDA. Customers should refrain from using any product bearing the lot code MV16854-01.

Both Van de Vries and our customers are aggressive about testing and ensuring the safety of our products," said JennieAnne Reitmeyer, manager, quality and research, Van de Vries Spice Corp. We routinely conduct and will continue to conduct stringent tests on products and equipment, and we will act quickly should we discover any contamination, as we are doing with this notification today."