FDA Issues Public Health Alert for Recalled Indian Spices Distributed by New Jersey’s Amin Trading Agency
- The products were not intended for distribution or sale in the U.S. market and were available in retail stores in several stores.
A public health alert has been issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for pre-made Indian spice powders for possible Salmonella contamination. The recall notice advises consumers not to purchase or eat Everest Garam Masala, Everest Sambhar Masala, and Maggi Masala-ae-Magic distributed by New Jersey’s Amin Trading Agency. “These products were not distributed by Everest Food Products Private Limited and they were not intended for distribution or sale in the U.S. market,” the recall notice said. “Amin Trading Agency LLC., Edison, NJ, sourced our products from Indian markets and distributed them in the U.S. market.”
Everest Garam Masala comes in 100 gm packs from batch No. U25D390373 with an expiration date of March 2024. The UPC code is 8 901786 101009. Everest Sambhar Masala also comes in 100 gm packs and has an expiration date of March 2024. But, the batch No. is U04D384296 and the UPC code is 8 901786 081004. Maggi Masala-ae-Magic comes in 6 gm packs, code No. 20640 455AA.
All three products were distributed to retail stores in Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, Maryland, Ohio, Tennessee, Mississippi, Florida, Virginia, New York and New Jersey, starting on March 16. Amin Trading LLC initiated a recall on June 1, “after test results showed the products were contaminated with Salmonella,” the FDA said, adding that “all remaining product on hand with the recalling firm was destroyed under FDA supervision.”
The notice did not indicate whether or not any illnesses have been reported to date.
“Salmonella is a group of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness and fever called salmonellosis,” the FDA said, adding that “children younger than five, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe salmonellosis infections.”
Most people infected with Salmonella will begin to develop symptoms 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness, salmonellosis, usually lasts four to seven days and most people recover without treatment.
The FDA advises those who have the recalled spices to either throw them out or return them to the store for a refund. Further questions can be directed to Amin Trading at 848-271-1013.