Tahini products recalled due to salmonella risk

NEW YORK (FOX5NY.COM) - A company based in Israel is recalling some of its tahini products because they may be contaminated with salmonella. The tahini products were sold internationally in retail stores and by mail order.

Achdut LTD. is recalling tahini products sold under the brands Achdut, Baron's, S&F, Pepperwood, Soom and Achva, produced between April 7 and May 21, 2018, and with lot numbers 18-097 to 18-141 or with expiration dates from April 7 to May 21, 2020. The containers came in the following sizes: 15 ounces (428 grams), 16 ounces (454 grams), 17.6 ounces (500 grams, and 635 ounces (18 kilos).

The FDA, CDC, and other health officials are investigating an outbreak of salmonella illnesses in three states, including New York, that may be linked to the tahini.

"Three ill people ate tahini or hummus made with tahini in Hawaii and New York," the CDC said. "The other two ill people traveled to other countries where they ate tahini or hummus made with tahini."

For this reason, the CDC and the company are recommending that you return any of the recalled tahini products to the store for a refund or throw them away.

Some of the recalled products may not have dates or may have labels written in Hebrew, the CDC said. If you aren't sure if your tahini is part of the recall, do not eat it and throw it away.

"Throw out any food made with recalled tahini, such as hummus," the CDC said. "Even if some tahini was eaten and no one got sick, do not eat it."

Salmonella infection can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating the contaminated product, according to health experts. Listeria infection can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.