The state health department has issued a consumer alert warning about spices used by Asian restaurants manufactured by a Bay Area plant that have been linked to a Salmonella outbreak in Central and Northern California. So far, 42 people in the nation have gotten sick, including 33 in California, according to the California Department of Public Health. Illnesses have occurred in 15 counties in Central and Northern California, the most recent being March 13.
"Consumers should avoid eating spices manufactured by Union International Food Company," the agency's director Dr. Mark Horton said on the department's Web site.
According to the health department, health specialists have linked the Salmonella cases to the plant's white and black pepper products used in Asian restaurants.
Union International Food Company has initiated a voluntary recall of pepper and all other similar spice products repackaged in its facility in Union City in the Bay Area, the health department says.
These products do not bear lot codes and were sold primarily to distributors and restaurants in California and Oregon, the state says.
The products' brand name is Lian How using a red label, the state says. The commercial containers include 10 and 15 pound cardboard boxes with plastic liners that are tied closed; 4 and 5 pound clear semi-hard plastic wide-mouth jars; 5 pound plastic bags, and 2.2 pound foil bags, the state Web site says.
After Lian How brand name, the wording "Packed by Union International Foods" or "Union International Foods" is printed.
These products were included in the recall: white pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika, chopped onion, onion power, garlic (chopped, minced, powder and granulated), whole black pepper, whole white pepper, curry powder, mustard powder, and wasabi powder.
The state says the department will provide update its Web site, www.cdph.ca.gov
Consumers can call Union International Food Company at (510) 471-6799.
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