Suppliers of Contaminated Pepper Sued

PASCOAG, R.I.Meatingplace reported that Daniele International Inc. filed a lawsuit against Wholesome Spice and Seasonings Inc. of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Mincing Overseas Spice Company of Dayton, N.J. The companies supplied Daniele with spices linked to an outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo that led to a recall of more than 1.2 million pounds of ready-to-eat meats.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court of Rhode Island, alleges that the spice companies were negligent and breached "their express and implied warranties" that the products they sold to Daniele were safe.
Public health officials found that the black and crushed red pepper supplied by these two companies were contaminated with the strain of Salmonella Montevideo that had been linked to Daniele product and had sickened 245 people in 44 states.
In a letter to customers posted on Danieles website, Davide Dukcevich, president of sales, says the company has cut all ties with the seasoning suppliers and is now only sourcing irradiated pepper.