Ground oregano recalled, may contain salmonella

McCormick & Company, a spice-and-herb seller whose products are sold at several southwest Ohio grocery stores, has recalled 1,032 cases of McCormick Ground Oregano because the herb may contain potentially deadly salmonella, according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory released this morning.

The voluntary recall by the Maryland-based company affects McCormick Ground Oregano sold in 0.75-ounce bottles with a UPC code of 0-523561-6 and expiration code dates that read “BEST BY AUG 21 16 H” or “BEST BY AUG 22 16 H.” The recall does not impact any other McCormick Ground, Whole or Oregano Leaves products.

The recalled oregano was shipped to grocers and other retail outlets in 41 states, including Ohio, according to the FDA news release.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the recalled oregano. The potential risk was brought to McCormick’s attention by the FDA during routine testing, the federal agency said.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the elderly, and others with weakened immune systems, FDA officials said. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

McCormick has alerted customers and grocery outlets to remove the product with the affected date codes from store shelves and distribution centers immediately, and to destroy the product in a way that would prevent any further consumption, FDA officials said.

Consumers are advised that they should not return the product to the store where it was purchased. Instead, they should dispose of the recalled product and its container. Consumers can contact McCormick Consumer Affairs at (800) 632-5847, weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, for a replacement or full refund, and with any other questions related to the recall.

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