BY VEENA RAO
Atlanta, GA, July 14, 2023: Three Indian spices—Everest Garam Masala, Everest Sambhar Masala and Maggi Masala ae Magic have been recalled after samples showed the products were contaminated with Salmonella, says an FDA statement.
The products were imported into the US and distributed in retail stores in Georgia and ten other states including North Carolina, Ohio, Maryland, Tennessee, Texas, Mississippi, Florida, Virginia, New Jersey, and New York starting March 16, 2023.
Amin Trading LLC initiated a recall on June 1, 2023, after test results showed the products were contaminated with Salmonella. All remaining products on hand with the recalling firm were destroyed under FDA supervision.
The FDA has contacted the manufacturer of Maggi Masala ae Magic and they are investigating the situation. The manufacturer of the two products, Everest Garam Masala and Everest Sambhar Masala, has been contacted.
“These products were not distributed by Everest Food Products Private Limited and they were not intended for distribution or sale in the US market,” Everest said through a press release.
“Amin Trading Agency LLC., Edison, NJ. sourced our products from Indian markets and distributed them in the US market.”
Amin Trading Agency LLC. is conducting a recall of these products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
NRI Pulse spoke to George Cherian of Cherians International Market (a chain of stores in Georgia), who had not heard of the recall, and was thankful for the information. He initiated an immediate search of their inventory after speaking to this reporter.
“None of the Evererst or Maggi products from the tainted batch are at our stores. They were probably recalled from the warehouse,” he said.
Calls to other major Atlanta area Indian supermarkets were not immediately returned.
Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
No illnesses have been reported till date.
