Miami firm recalls 188.5 tons of curry spices because of lead

Miami’s Oriental Packing Co. Inc. late Friday recalled roughly 188.5 tons  of  blended seasoning curry products because it is contaminated with lead. Lead can accumulate in the body over time and can cause serious and sometimes permanent adverse health consequences.  The New York State Health Department discovered the lead contamination in the finished products during routine sampling. Oriental Packing Co. Inc. has ceased the production and distribution of the product and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has launched  investigation as to what caused the problem.  The recalled products were  distributed in New York and Florida and sold through internet sales and retail stores nationwide.  There are no reports of lead poisoning from the spice products.  Here are the products included in the recall:

Blue Mountain Brand

• Blue Mountain Country Mild Curry Powder
• Blue Mountain Country Hot Curry Powder
• Blue Mountain Country Hot Jamaican Jerk Curry Seasoning

Jamaica Choice Brand

• Jamaica Choice Mild
• Jamaica Hot Curry Powder

Ocho Rios Brand

• Ocho-Rios Jamaican Nice Mild Curry Powder
• Ocho Rios Spicy Curry Powder
• Ocho Rios Jerk Curry Seasoning Mild
• Ocho Rios Jerk Curry Seasoning Spicy

Oriental Brand

• Oriental Mild Curry Powder
• Oriental Hot Curry Powder

Grace Brand

• Grace Mild Curry Powder
• Grace Hot Curry Powder
• Grace Caribbean Curry Powder
• Grace Caribbean Tradition Hot Curry Powder

The products can be further identified by the label bearing the above names in glass and plastic bottles. The recalled spice was sold in various sized packages including 2-ounce, 4-ounce, 6-ounce, 8-ounce, 22-ounce and 5-pounds. The product can be identified by the lot numbers and best before date listed below. This information can be found on the top of the cap or at the bottom of the bottle.  HOT/SPICY LOT NUMBERS BEST BEFORE DATE: 11/1/18 through 6/29/19

MILD LOT NUMBERS BEST BEFORE DATE: 11/1/18 through 6/29/19

HOT/SPICY JERK LOT NUMBER BEST BEFORE DATE: 11/1/18 through 6/29/19

MILD HEAT JERK LOT NUMBER BEST BEFORE DATE: 11/1/18 through 6/29/19

Consumers are urged to dispose unused product following EPA and/or state and county regulations or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.  (To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)