Recall - Firm press release : Thai basil

From the FDA Web site


Recall -- Firm Press Release
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Lucky Green Trading, Inc. Recalls Thai Basil Because of Possible Health Risk
Contact:
Chi Ton
(714) 554-9293

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Garden Grove, CA -- July 9, 2008 --- LUCKY GREEN TRADING, INC. of Garden Grove, CA is recalling Thai Basil , because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella , an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. 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.

Thai Basil was distributed through retail stores and direct delivery to customers in Southern California, Arizona , and Nevada on June 30, 2008.

The product was shipped in 14 LB cardboard cartons with 12 individual packages weighting approx.1.2 LB each in clear, unmarked, plastic bags. The exterior cartons were labeled "16 DE SEPTIEMBRE S/N SANTA ROSA TAPACHULA NAYARIT, C.P. 63731" "Thai Basil" and also had an attached sticker with Airway Bill #027 1947 0861.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was as the result of a random testing by the FDA which revealed that the finished products contained the Salmonella . The company has suspended distribution and importation of the product as FDA and the company continues their investigation.

Consumers who purchased basil should contact the store where they purchased the product to determine if their basil is the Thai basil involved in the recall. Consumers with questions may contact the company at (714) 554-9293.

CBS on salmonella - July 10

National retail report - July 11

Produce ads are way down this week, the USDA reports. As per usual, here is the summary from the USDA's National Retail Report. From the July 11 report:


Fresh Produce Ads Decline After July 4th Holiday
Retailers resumed summer-themed ads this week without the holiday focus of last week. Fresh produced continued to be prominently featured in many ads. Ads touted locally grown produce often and included a wide variety of seasonal items not formally reported here.
Overall fresh produce ads declined nearly 11% this week compared to last week. Fruit ad activity declined nearly 13% and vegetables were down almost 7%. The most notable declines were seen on corn (down 71%) and whole seedless watermelons (down roughly 68%). Despite fewer ads, however, fruits continued to command the bulk of total ad space. The top 5 featured items this week were all fruits and included: peaches, cherries, nectarines, grapes, and strawberries. These items made up 58% of all fruit ads and over 35% of total produce ads.


Fruits as Percentage of Total Fruit Ads - July 11, 2008
Bananas 0%
Avocadoes, hass 3%
Apples, red delicious 1%
Bananas, organic 0%
Watermelon, seedless 4%
Watermelon, mini 2%
Blueberries 0%
Cantaloupe 7%
Honeydew 1%
Grapefruit, red 0%
Grapes, green/red 11%
Clementines 0%
Cherries 11%
Strawberries, organic 3%
Strawberries 10%
Plums 8%
Pineapple 3%
Limes 2%
Lemons 0%
Oranges, navel 0%
Peaches 15%
Pears, bartlett 0%
Mangoes 6%
Nectarines 11%




Vegetables as Percentage of Total Vegetable Ads - July 11, 2008
Broccoli, organic 1%
Broccoli 2%
Beans, round green 4%
Tomatoes on the vine 10%
Tomatoes 4%
Cabbage 3%
Carrots, baby organic 6%
Carrots, baby 6%
Asparagus 3%
Tomatoes, grape organic 4%
Tomatoes, grape 4%
Celery 1%
Corn 7%
Cucumbers 6%
Lettuce, iceberg 4%
Lettuce, romaine 2%
Mushrooms, white 6%
Onions, yellow 1%
Sweet Potatoes 1%
Squash, zucchini 8%
Potatoes, russet 2%
Peppers, bell red 3%
Peppers, bell green 5%
Onions, sweet 9%