Spice recall map shows states affected by highest FDA warning

The recalls for numerous spice and cooking products have been upgraded to the most dangerous risk level.

Numerous Newly Weds Foods and Kerry Inc. products have now been classified as Class I recalls by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because they may contain salmonella. A Class I recall, the highest risk level, is issued when there is a “reasonable probability” that use of or contact with a product could “cause serious health consequences or death.”

Read more: What is a health savings account?

Here’s what you need to know about the affected products and whether they were distributed in your state.

Food for newlyweds

Newly Weds Foods, a Chicago-based company, initiated an ongoing recall of four seasoning products sold in Florida, Illinois and Texas on May 2.

The affected products are:

• Steak and Burger Seasoning – sold in 5 pound boxes. Lot Number: MS330883
• Starch WPC Blend – sold in 30-pound bags. Lot numbers: MT712282 and MT712283
• Breader X1 – sold in 50lb bags. Lot number: CD032324M
• Breader X7 – sold in 50lb bags. Lot number: CD042324M

Kerry Inc.

Wisconsin-based Kerry, Inc. notified the agency on May 3 that some of its seasoning products may be contaminated, including:

• 77 bags of Cheddar & Sour Cream Seasoning. Lot numbers: 8092105, 8127605 and 8091886.
• 13,341 bags of Sun Nat HV Cheddar #3 Seasoning. Lot numbers: 7913195, 7922168, 7930265, 7930281, 7930294, 7978577, 7982626, 7984670, 7984677, 7989993, 7989997 and 7990004.

The products were distributed in Arizona, California, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas and Maryland as well as in Canada.

Read more: Find the right tax-advantaged health savings account

The FDA does not provide information on how the products may have been contaminated with salmonella, nor is it known whether any illnesses have been reported in connection with the affected products. Newsweek contacted Newly Weds Foods via the contact form on its website and Kerry Inc. via email.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, more than one million people in the United States become infected with salmonella each year, making the disease one of the most common causes of food poisoning in the country.

The most common symptoms of the disease include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, headaches and fever, which can occur within six hours to six days after infection. Fortunately, these infections are usually mild and most sufferers recover within a few days without the need for medical intervention.

For most people, salmonella poisoning is not life-threatening. However, people in certain high-risk groups, including those under 12 months of age, over 65 years of age, or those with weakened immune systems, can become seriously ill if they become infected. In rare cases, salmonella can enter the bloodstream and cause serious illnesses such as artery infections, endocarditis, and arthritis, which may require hospitalization.

Anyone who believes they have salmonella should contact their doctor.