Salmonella, botulism and undeclared allergens

Salmonella contamination

In the US, Thal Golden Spices Inc. has announced that it is recalling 640 packs of Bikano Moong Dal (350g, expiry date: 25 June 2025) because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, posing a health risk to consumers. The product was distributed in the state of California through retail stores.

No illnesses associated with the product have been reported to date.

Thal Golden Spices Inc recently discovered an oversight in the distribution process of one of its products and, unfortunately, the product was released without proper lab results. This issue came to light during a United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspection, when inspectors identified discrepancies in the batch numbers slated for destruction.

Thal Golden Spices has said that it is actively addressing this situation to ensure compliance and rectify the error.

Consumers who have purchased the product are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. 

Undeclared cashews

Also in the US, G.S. Gelato & Desserts, Inc. is recalling a limited amount of Full Circle Market Coconutmilk Chocolate Almond Crunch Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert (1 Pint/16 fl.oz. paper cartons, expiry date: 15 October 2025) due to the product containing undeclared cashew. The affected cartons are Lot 041624L2 BBD 10/15/2025, UPC 0 36800 46964 8.

The ingredient list printed on the packaging does not include cashew, and so people who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to cashew run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume the affected products. The packaging was also incorrect: the lid displays Nature’s Promise brand Cashewmilk Chocolate Almond Crunch Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert, whereas the carton displays Full Circle Market brand Coconutmilk Chocolate Almond Crunch Frozen Dessert.

The product was distributed to centres carrying the Full Circle Market brand within the states of Georgia, Massachusetts and New York, and have since been sent to retail stores located in New York, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New Jersey, Connecticut at Rhode Island. 

No adverse reactions to the product have been reported to date.

G.S. Gelato was notified by one of the retail stores that the product carton and lid stated two different products. The firm conducted an investigation which determined that a single lot of pints of cashewmilk product was dispensed into the Full Circle Market brand Coconutmilk pints during the manufacturing process.

Consumers have been told that, if this product is in their possession, to not consume it if they have a cashew allergy or sensitivity.

Traces of milk

Elsewhere in the US, Yummy Foods is recalling their Yummy Swirly Ices line because it may contain traces of milk. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The recalled products include:

• Swirly Tropical Melon
• Swirly Berry Blast
• Swirly Tropical Tornado
• Swirly Churning Cherry
• Swirly Variety Pack.

The affected products are numbered with lot numbers 68/2 and 69/1 and expiration dates of 28 May 2026 and 30 May 2026, but the entire line is being recalled notwithstanding the lot number.

The products were distributed through retail supermarkets in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio, Chicago, Florida and California, and are packaged in printed boxes with the Yummy logo (found in the freezer aisle in independent kosher supermarkets). Yummy Foods noted that this is not a kashrus concern and the products are all considered kosher parve as confirmed by the cRc Kashrus Agency. 

The recall was initiated after an allergen sensitive consumer complained about feelings of discomfort after consuming the Swirly Ices. The reason for the cross contamination is still under investigation.

Consumers have been told to not consume this product if they have a sensitivity or are allergic to milk, and that the product can be returned to the original point of purchase for a full refund.

Clostridium botulinum contamination

North Fish USA Inc has announced that it is recalling the imported packages of Cold Smoked Capelin (9oz), because the product was found to be over 5” in length and uneviscerated. As such, the product has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product, even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

Uneviscerated fish over 5” in length may contain Clostridium botulinum spores, as they are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than any other portion of the fish. Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause symptoms such as general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. 

The recalled product was distributed in the states of New York and Georgia, to be distributed further to retail stores on the East Coast of the US.

The product comes in a 9oz, plastic package marked with UPC code 4811527003360, and with best before date 13 July 2024 and 5 January 2025 stamped in the back of the package.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The potential for contamination was noted by Patriot Foods after routine inspection by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Foods Inspectors, and then subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory staff.

Consumers who have purchased the product are urged to return the item to the place of purchase for a full refund.