Taco Seasoning Sold at Wal-Mart Recalled for Salmonella Risk
Taco Seasoning Sold at Wal-Mart Recalled for Salmonella Risk
Two brands of taco seasoning mix, one of them sold at Wal-Mart stores, are being recalled due to a possible salmonella contamination. According to a KTLA news report, Great Value Mild Taco Seasoning Mix and HEB Taco Seasoning Mix packages sold in stores in California and 43 other states are being recalled. The company that makes these products, William Foods LLC, issued the voluntary recall after one of its supplies recalled a lot of cumin that was used in both mixes.
One of the supplier’s customers had tested a sample and found it to be potentially tainted with the bacteria. The recall affects seasoning mix packages with the following expiration dates: July 8 and 9, 2021 for Great Value products and July 10, 11 and 15, 2021 for HEB products. So far, there have been no consumer complaints or reported cases of salmonella illnesses in connection with the taco seasoning mixes, the company has said. Customers who bought these recalled products are urged not to eat them and instead throw them away or return them to the place of purchase for a complete refund.
Salmonella Infections: What You Need to Know
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), salmonella causes about 1.2 million illnesses, 23,000 hospitalizations and 450 deaths in the United States every year. Food and food-related products are the source for about 1 million of these illnesses. Most people who are infected with salmonella develop symptoms including diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness typically lasts four to seven days and most persons recover without treatment. However, in some people, diarrhea may be so severe that the person requires hospitalization.
How Do You Prevent Salmonella?
There are several steps that can be taken to prevent illnesses related to salmonella. When cooking, wash your hands, cutting boards, utensils and countertops, especially after they have been in contact with raw meat or poultry. Wash fresh vegetables and fruit thoroughly before eating. Cook foods to the recommended safe temperatures – 145 degrees for roasts, 160 degrees for ground meats and 165 degrees for all poultry. Set the refrigerator between 40 degrees. Make sure prepared food goes into the refrigerator within 30 minutes after eating.
If you have been sickened as a result of a defective food product or food served at a restaurant or elsewhere, you may be able to seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, pain and suffering and emotional distress. An experienced California food poisoning lawyer will be able to help victims secure maximum compensation for their losses and hold the negligent parties accountable.
