One of the largest food recalls in U.S. history could be imminent in the next few weeks, as it’s becoming apparent that thousands of products may contain an additive linked to salmonella food poisoning contamination. HVP, or hydrolyzed vegetable protein, has been found to contain salmonella bacteria in one lot of the flavor enhancer produced by Basic Food Flavors. It has also been detected inside the company’s Nevada manufacturing facility according to the FDA.
It’s very difficult for federal officials to determine the true scope of the problem, because this contamination is believed to date back as far as September of 2009. This means that millions of pounds of HVP that could be potentially contaminated was shipped to various food manufacturers over five months before the company recalled the food enhancer.
According to officials, the health threat facing the public is relatively low due to the fact that most products containing HVP are cooked during processing or are to be cooked by the consumer before eating. The highest danger lies in ready-to-eat products such as snack foods and chips.
FDA officials have notified foodmakers that it is not necessary to recall their products if they can provide documentation proving that the foods containing HVP were heated appropriately.
Don Schaffner, a professor of microbiology and food-safety expert at Rutgers University, said that officials are trying to determine how to go about protecting public health without being so over-cautious that tons of products that may be perfectly safe are not thrown out unnecessarily.
Officials at the FDA are still trying to determine what caused the contamination originally, and declined to comment recently on when the Nevada plant was last inspected or if they have a history of problems concerning sanitation.
The contaminated HVP affects a huge variety of foods including frozen dinners, salad dressings, chips, soups, hot dogs and thousands of other processed foods.
Salmonella food poisoning is generally mild in most individuals, but can pose serious health complications in those most at risk, including young children, the elderly and people with a compromised immune system. If you believe you have consumed foods tainted with salmonella and are showing salmonella symptoms, contact your doctor at once to see if you need treatment.
If you find yourself in need of a food poisoning attorney, consider contacting Brown Chiari. Brown Chiari is a personal injury law firm in New York with over 20 years of experience in the legal field.
