Four years ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a draft risk profile on the public health dangers associated with spices, identifying the presence of pathogens such as Salmonella and filth in general. It described efforts to reduce the public health risk posed by consumption of contaminated spices and identified control options to prevent…
Forget your wallet — what’s in your spice rack?
The federal government has been trying to figure out what’s in your spice rack for several years now, and with the completion of a 24-month reconnaissance mission the Food and Drug Administration is ready to begin its homework. 
Previous government research had revealed that the presence of pathogens, in particular Salmonella, is…
Costco Black Pepper Recalled for Possible Salmonella Contamination
On Friday, Olde Thompson Inc. of Oxnard, CA, issued a recall of its Kirkland Signature Coarse Ground Malabar Pepper due to potential Salmonella contamination. The product comes in 12.7-ounce plastic jars with a best-before date of March 2017 and UPC code: 096619164998. The lot numbers are OT 065099, OT 065169, OT 065254, OT 065255, OT…
Comment Period Extended for Risk Profile on Pathogens and Filth in Spices
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has extended the comment period for its “Draft Risk Profile on Pathogens and Filth in Spices,” which was first released in October and given a Jan. 3, 2014, deadline for comments, scientific data and other information. FDA announced Tuesday that the new deadline for the profile will…
Imports and Exports: Microbial-Reduction Techniques Address the Unique Structures of Spices
Between 1973 and 2010, there were 14 outbreaks of foodborne illness linked to contaminated spices worldwide. After several recent large-scale Salmonella outbreaks in the U.S. were associated with contaminated spices, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began a major investigation into spice safety. Since more 80 percent of the spices in American kitchens come from…
FDA Releases Draft Report on Pathogens and Filth in Imported Spices
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a draft of its spice risk profile on Wednesday, calling attention to the most common microbial hazards and filth in spices, along with possible sources of contamination. The agency’s testing between 2007 and 2010 revealed that 12 percent of imported spices were contaminated with insects, excrement, hair and…