The Food and Drug Administration has announced that hydrolyzed vegetable protein (a common flavor enhancer used in processed foods) manufactured by the company Basic Food Flavors has been recalled, and what some commentators have termed an "avalanche" of products are affected by this recall. Basic Food Flavors, based in Las Vegas, is one of just a few companies that supplies HVP to foodmakers. The FDA inspected the Las Vegas plant and identified salmonella in the company’s processing equipment.
Although there have been no reported illnesses associated with the recall, U.S. and Canadian authorities said that nonetheless the recall affects all HVP produced since last September, which translates to millions of pounds of potentially contaminated foods. Some quite well-known and respected manufacturer’s products are included in this sweeping recall.
HVP is found in snack foods such as potato chips and pretzels; in dry mixes for dips, gravy, au jus mixes, and marinades; in frozen foods (such as taquitos and quesadillas); in fresh foods such as potato salad and fresh dips; and in many other grocery products. Until the danger has passed, please check your kitchen supplies to ensure that none of these products are included in the meals you serve your family and friends.
The recall was issued due to possible salmonella contamination. In the United States, salmonella is one of the most common causes of bacterial food-borne illness, causing fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
The following food categories are included in the HVP recall:
Soup and dip mix products
- Castella Chicken Soup Base
- Concord Foods Vegetable Dip Seasoning – Homestyle de la Casa Spinach Dip
- Dean's - various brands of soup/soup mix & dip/dip mix
- Delicioso Spinach Dip
- Follow Your Heart Beef Au Jus
- Fresh Food Concepts Garden Fresh Spinach & Spinach Dip with Real Yogurt
- Great Value Ranch Chip Dip
- Healthwise Cream of Mushroom Soup
- Homemade Gourmet Tortilla Soup Mix
- Johnny's French Dip Powdered Au Jus
- Kroger Onion & Beefy Onion Soup Dip Mix
- McCormick French Onion & Vegetable Dip Mix
- Mrs. Gerry's Crab Creole Spread & Old Home/Old Fashioned Spinach Dip
- Oak Lake Farms French Onion Chip Dip
- Publix Beef Flavored Stew Mix
- Reser's soup and dip mixes
- Rojo's Garden Fresh Spinach Dip
- T. Marzetti soup and dip mixes
- Bouillon products
- Herbox chicken, beef & vegetable bouillon
- Dressing and dressing mix products
- Follow Your Heart Organic Creamy Ranch Dressing
- Reser's Ranch House Dressing
- Trader Joe's Organic Creamy Ranch Dressing & Dip
- Flavoring base and seasoning products
- Garden Harvest Special Blend Seasoning
- Minor's Bacon Base
- Publix Meatloaf Seasoning
- Gravy mix products
- McCormick Onion Gravy mix
- Publix Mushroom & Au Jus gravy mixes
- Sauce and marinade mix products
- Durkee Spaghetti & Marinade Mix
- French's Thick Spaghetti Sauce Mix
- Weber Grill Creations Italian Herb Marinade Mix
Snack and snack mix products
- CVS Honey Mustard Pretzel Bites
- Great Nut Supply Honey Mustard Pretzels & Bar Mix
- HK Anderson Honey Mustard Pretzel Bites
- Tim's Cascade Hawaiian style snacks
- Herr's Sea Salt Flavored Kettle Style Potato Chips
- National Pretzel Company (various)
- President's Choice Honey Mustard Onion Pretzel Bite snack
- Pringles Restaurant Cravers Cheeseburger & Family Faves Taco Night
- Quaker Baked Cheddar Snack Mix
- Rouses Louisiana's Best Snack Mix
- Safeway brand Honey Mustard Onion Nugget Pretzels
- Spec's Wines & Fine Foods
- Sunflower Markets Honey Mustard Nugget Snack Mix
Frozen foods
- Casa Solana Shredded Mini Beef Taquitos
- E-Z Eats! Beef Taquitos
- El Pasado Shredded Beef Mini and Beef Taquitos & Grilled Chicken Quesadillas
- Giant Eagle Steak Taquitos
- Jose Ole Taquitos
- Posada Corn & Shredded Beef Taquitos
- Tornados Ranchero Beef & Cheese
Prepared salad products
- Reser's Redskin Potato Salad
- Safeway brand Redskin Potato Salad
- Walmart brand Redskin Potato Salad
Ready-to-eat meal products
- Follow Your Heart Ready-to-Eat Meals
Stuffing products
- McCormick Corn Bread Stuffing
Cooking Examiner talked to Santa Clara County supermarket personnel at several stores in chains such as Lucky's, Safeway, and Trader Joe's, and they are being very cautious, as always, about stocking their shelves with possibly contaminated products. Listed products have been pulled and they will refund the purchase price of any of the above products you've recently brought home.
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Comments
Yikes! That's a big recall. Thanks for the information!
You're welcome. Yes, it is; and one of the most frightening things about it is, many of the products on the list have no reason for existence in the first place: they're not "food"; they're chemicals masquerading as something edible.
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