The threat of Salmonella appears to be spreading through the food chain, thanks to contamination of some highly-used seasonings that bear traces of the bacteria.
Windsor Foods, a company with meat packing and processing operations in Texas and Mississippi, is recalling approximately 1.7 million pounds of ready-to-eat beef taquito and chicken quesadilla products that may be contaminated with Salmonella.
The packages of beef taquito and chicken quesadilla products contain the previously recalled Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), according to USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a recall of the HVP product on March 4, 2010. A recall of the ready-to-eat taquito and quesadilla products containing the HVP was warranted due to the determination that the HVP ingredient was added after Salmonella prevention steps were applied.
The products subject to recall include Beef Taquito Products:
• 1.25-pound cartons of "JOS OL TAQUITOS SHREDDED STEAK ROLLED IN CORN TORTILLAS," bearing any of the following identifying package code numbers: "3359327," "3359334," "3359337," "3359338," "3359342," "3359343," "3359344," "3359345," "3359353," "3359354," "3359355," "3359356," "3359363," "3350002," "3350004," "3350007," "3350008," "3350012," "3350016," "3350017," "3350018," "3350023," "3350025," "3350026," "3350029," "3350031," "3350033," "3350036," "3350040," "3350042," "3350046," "3350047," "3350055," "3350057," "3350060," "3350062." These products were produced between the dates of Nov. 23, 2009 through March 3, 2010.
• 2.5-pound cartons of "JOS OL TAQUITOS SHREDDED STEAK ROLLED IN CORN TORTILLAS," bearing any of the following identifying package code numbers: "3359340," "3359357," "3350005," "3350014," "3350028," "3350037," "3350053," "3350020," "3350044." These products were produced between the dates of Dec. 6, 2009 through Feb. 22, 2010.
• 1.6-pound cartons of "EL PASADO BEEF TAQUITOS," bearing any of the following identifying package code numbers: "3350017," or "3350029." These products were produced on Jan. 17 and 29, 2010.
• 4-pound cartons of "EL PASADO SHREDDED BEEF MINI TAQUITOS," bearing any of the following identifying package code numbers: "3350002," "3350005," "3350023," "3350037." These products were produced between the dates of Jan. 2, 2010 through Feb. 6, 2010.
• 4-pound cartons of "CASA SOLANA SHREDDED BEEF MINI TAQUITOS," bearing any of the following package code numbers: "3359344" or "3350060." These products were produced on Dec. 10, 2009 and March 1, 2010.
• 12.5-pound cartons of "E-Z EATS! BEEF TAQUITOS," bearing the identifying package code number "3350042." These products were produced on Feb. 11, 2010.
• 1.25-pound cartons of "GIANT EAGLE STEAK TAQUITOS," bearing the identifying package code "3350025." These products were produced on Jan. 25, 2010.
• 20-pound cartons of "JOS OL BEEF TAQUITOS," bearing any of the following identifying package codes: "3359337," or "3350012." These products were produced on Dec. 3, 2009 and Jan. 12, 2010.
• 3.3-pound cartons of "POSADA TAQUITOS CORN SHREDDED BEEF," bearing any of the following identifying package codes: "3359357," "3350005," "3350020." These products were produced on Dec. 23, 2009, Jan. 5, 2010, and Jan. 20, 2010.
• 15-ounce cartons of "JOS OL TAQUITOS SHREDDED STEAK ROLLED IN CORN TORTILLAS," bearing any of the following identifying package codes: "3359342," "3359354," "3350018," "3350031," "3350047," "3350051." These products were produced between the dates of Dec. 8, 2009 through Feb. 20, 2010.
Chicken Quesadilla Products
• 15-pound boxes containing 3-pound 12-ounce cartons of "EL PASADO GRILLED CHICKEN QUESADILLAS GRILLED WHITE MEAT CHICKEN, CHEESE & SALSA FOLDED IN A FLOUR TORTILLA," bearing the identifying package code "3530028," or "3539352." These products were produced on Dec. 18, 2009 and Jan. 28, 2010.
Each of the beef taquito cartons subject to recall bear a label with establishment number "EST. 5590" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The chicken quesadilla boxes subject to recall bear the USDA mark of inspection, with the establishment number "P-34708" located separately on each box.
These products were distributed to foodservice and retail establishments nationwide. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on FSIS' Web site.
FSIS says it has received no reports of illnesses associated with the consumption of these products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.
According to FDA's March 4, 2010 release, FDA conducted an investigation after a customer of an FDA regulated firm reported finding Salmonella in the HVP ingredient. This resulted in the subsequent recall of the contaminated HVP products.
FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers, including restaurants, of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.