Region – Pacific International Marketing (“Pacific”) is working with the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and California Department of Public Health to coordinate a recall of cilantro for potential contamination with salmonella. The FDA has advised that a sample of Pacific Cilantro has tested positive for salmonella. A total of 6,141 cartons of cilantro are being recalled.
The product was distributed in California, Arizona, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Indiana, South Carolina, and Missouri through retailers. Consumers should return cilantro purchased after Nov. 16 but before Dec. 10.
Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e. infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
The product is distributed in Pacific International Marketing cartons of 60 bunches, 30 bunches and 20 three-bunched sleeves. The product is bunched cilantro with “Pacific” on the twist tie and the UPC code, which is 33383 80104. The UPC code for sleeves is 40695 80104. The carton codes are as follows:
| 19 78 111411 | ||
| 19 78 111811 | 19 84 111811 | 19 94 111811 |
| 19 78 111911 | 19 84 111911 | 19 94 111911 |
| 19 78 112111 |
No illnesses have been reported to date. The recall is the result of a positive FDA salmonella test taken at the distributor level. The product originates from Salt River Farming, located in the Phoenix, Arizona area. The source of contamination is unknown.
Consumers who have purchased the cilantro are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Customers can also contact Pacific International Marketing at 1-831-755-1398, from 8 a.m. PST to 5 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, or by mail to P.O. Box 3737, Salinas, CA 93912-3737.
