Highest risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Karawan & SoCo Tahini recall: Salmonella

Recall published 7+ years ago

Salmonella

Karawan & SoCo Nuts & seeds — recalled nuts & seedsKarawan & SoCo Nuts & seeds — recalled nuts & seeds (photo 2)Karawan & SoCo Nuts & seeds — recalled nuts & seeds (photo 3)Karawan & SoCo Nuts & seeds — recalled nuts & seeds (photo 4)
4 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Salmonella contamination

Salmonella is what triggered this notice. The bacteria transfer readily from hands and surfaces, which is why the clean-up matters as much as the disposal.

What the notice says: Brodt Zenatti Holding LLC of Jupiter, Florida is recalling all retail and bulk Karawan brand Tahini, sold in Jars: 450g (15.87 oz) and Buckets: 17kg (599.6 oz); 3kg (105.8 oz) that were imported from Palestine between the dates of December 2018 to April 2019 and SoCo Brand Tahini; because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella , an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Why it matters: Salmonella is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness in the United States. It spreads easily from a contaminated product to hands, taps, cloths and other food in the same kitchen.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

The CDC describes salmonellosis as diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps that usually begin between six hours and six days after exposure and last about four to seven days. Most people recover without treatment. Children under five, adults over 65 and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to become seriously ill. Seek care for diarrhoea with a high fever, bloody stools, vomiting that stops you keeping liquids down, diarrhoea lasting more than three days, or signs of dehydration such as very little urine, a dry mouth or dizziness when standing.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Published
June 10, 2019
Risk level
Highest risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Karawan & SoCo
Product type
Nuts & seeds
Distribution
Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Texas, Virginia
Reports of harm
Four (4) illnesses have been reported to date.

Products covered by this recall

Tahini

What the company announced

Brodt Zenatti Holding LLC of Jupiter, Florida is recalling all retail and bulk Karawan brand Tahini, sold in Jars: 450g (15.87 oz) and Buckets: 17kg (599.6 oz); 3kg (105.8 oz) that were imported from Palestine between the dates of December 2018 to April 2019 and SoCo Brand Tahini; because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella , 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.

Karawan brand Tahini was directly distributed to New York and Texas. We currently know that distributors have thereafter shipped the product to Massachusetts and Virginia.

Specific information on how to identify the Karawan brand Tahini product includes:

Name of product: Tahini

Brand name: Karawan Tahini

Unit size: Jar: 450g (15.87 oz), Buckets: 17kg (599.6 oz), 3 kg (105.822 oz)

Storage conditions: No refrigeration storage needed.

Expiration Date (s): Two years from the production. The expiration date is located on the lid of the containers.

Retail label for SoCo brand Tahini

Specific information on how to identify the SoCo brand Tahini product includes:

Name of product: Tahini

Brand name: SoCo Tahini

Unit size: Container: 380g (13.4 oz)

Storage conditions: No refrigeration storage needed.

Expiration Date (s): Two years from the production. The expiration date is located on the lid of the containers.

Four (4) illnesses have been reported to date.

This recall has been initiated due to New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene laboratory results from two samples of Karawan brand tahini testing positive for Salmonella . Brodt Zenatti Holding LLC has ceased the importation and distribution of the product as FDA and Brodt Zenatti Holding LLC continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

Consumers who have purchased Karawan brand tahini or SoCo brand Tahini are urged to destroy it or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Brodt Zenatti Holding LLC at 305-570-9050, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Initial Press Release

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

Check your product

The notice names 6 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 15.87 oz
  • 17 kg
  • 599.6 oz
  • 3 kg
  • 105.8 oz
  • 13.4 oz

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Salmonella

Karawan & SoCo — Salmonella is what triggered this notice. The bacteria transfer readily from hands and surfaces, which is why the clean-up matters as much as the disposal.

  1. Stop eating the product and keep it away from anything ready to eat.
  2. Bag it and bin it, or take it back to the store — do not feed it to pets or livestock either.
  3. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling the pack, and wash any dish, utensil or surface it touched in hot soapy water.
  4. If you repackaged or froze it, check the freezer too. Salmonella is not killed by freezing.

Getting a refund without the pack

The commonest reason people skip the refund is that they have already thrown the item away. That rarely matters.

  • A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.
  • Store credit is often offered first. You can ask for the original payment method instead, and it is normally granted.
  • No photo either? Ask anyway. Grocery chains settle recall refunds at the service desk because disputing them costs more than paying them.
  • For a multi-pack or a case, ask for the full purchase price rather than a per-unit figure — the recall covers what you paid.

Remedy named in the notice: Consumers who have purchased Karawan brand tahini or SoCo brand Tahini are urged to destroy it or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Company contact: Brodt Zenatti Holding LLC — Consumers: Brodt Zenatti Holding LLC, 305-570-9050

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Karawan & SoCo nuts & seeds recalled?

Salmonella Brodt Zenatti Holding LLC of Jupiter, Florida is recalling all retail and bulk Karawan brand Tahini, sold in Jars: 450g (15.87 oz) and Buckets: 17kg (599.6 oz); 3kg (105.8 oz) that were imported from Palestine between the dates of December 2018 to April 2019 and SoCo Brand Tahini; because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella , an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

The notice does not publish package codes for this recall. Compare the product name, size and the purchase window against the official FDA — Company recall announcements record, and contact the company if you are unsure.

What should I do with it right now?

Stop eating the product and keep it away from anything ready to eat.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Consumers who have purchased Karawan brand tahini or SoCo brand Tahini are urged to destroy it or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Texas, Virginia.

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