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Tainted ingredient sold after salmonella found

By MARY CLARE JALONICK
Associated Press Writer




WASHINGTON (AP) -- The company responsible for a ballooning recall of processed foods continued to manufacture and distribute a flavor-enhancing ingredient for a month after tests confirmed it was made with contaminated equipment, according to a Food and Drug Administration report.

FDA inspectors said the company, Las Vegas-based Basic Food Flavors Inc., knew of salmonella contamination on its equipment after it received the results of a private inspection on Jan. 21. They said the company continued to distribute the ingredient, called hydrolyzed vegetable protein, until Feb. 15.

The FDA began an investigation of the company in response to a report from one of Basic Food Flavors' customers about salmonella contamination. After a February visit to the plant, agency inspectors reported finding "light brown residue" and "dark brown liquid" in and around the paste mixers and inside pipes used to manufacture the ingredient.

The agency said the company began notifying customers of the recall on Feb. 26 after discussions with the government. It was publicly announced by the FDA a week later.

No illnesses have been associated with the recall, according to the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control. Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children and others with weakened immune systems.

Hydrolyzed vegetable protein is contained in thousands of processed foods. The agency had listed more than 100 recalled products as of Wednesday, including dips manufactured by T. Marzetti and McCormick and honey mustard pretzel bites manufactured by the National Pretzel Co.

The Department of Agriculture, which oversees meat products, also announced a recall of 1.7 million pounds of ready-to-eat beef taquito and chicken quesadilla products that contain the ingredient.

Many products that contain the ingredient are not dangerous because cooking them eliminates the risk of salmonella. FDA officials said they believe the risk to consumers is low.

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On the Net:

Recall: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/Major ... efault.htm