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Union International Food Co. is Recalling Lian How Brand Spices and Uncle Chen's Brand White Pepper and Black Pepper in 5oz. Retail Containers Because of a Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Union International Food Co.
510-471-6799

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- March 30, 2009 -- Union International Food Co. of Union City, CA is recalling 15-pound. and smaller size packages of the Lian How brand spices (a complete list of the products and sizes is attached) and Uncle Chen brand white pepper & black pepper (whole and ground) in 5oz. retail containers, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that 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.

Officials investigating a multi-state Salmonella outbreak isolated Salmonella from an open container of Lian How White Pepper, which was found at a restaurant where some outbreak victims ate.  Union International Food Co. is making every possible effort to protect our customers and the consuming public. We have discussed the matter with the California Department of Public Health and agreed to initiate a recall.

The Lian How brand spices are distributed in the states of California, Oregon and Washington to wholesalers, distributors, restaurant suppliers and restaurants.  The Lian How brand products are packaged in 10 or 15lbs. boxes with plastic liners, 5-pound plastic jars or 5-pound plastic bags (and 2.2 pound foil bags of Wasabi powder).  The Lian How brand products are not generally sold directly to the retail consumer.  The Uncle Chen brand white & black pepper products (whole or ground) are sold at retail in 5oz. containers.  Only the products on the attached list are included in this recall.

Union International Foods Company has ceased the production and distribution of these products as the FDA, California Department of Public Health and Union International Foods Co. continue the investigation as to nature and full extent of this potential contamination. 

Wholesalers & Distributors of these products are instructed to immediately place the recalled merchandise on hold and immediately withdraw any product from sale or distribution. Wholesalers and Distributors must immediately alert their customers of the recall and arrange for the return to Union International Foods Co. of the recalled goods. Contact your usual Union International Foods Co. representative to arrange for return of the recalled goods.  End users and consumers are instructed to immediately suspend use of the products in their possession and either return them to the place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of them in the trash. 

For updated information or questions about the ongoing investigation, contact the Union International Food Company information line at 510-471-6799 or our website www.ufunionfood.com.  Union International Food Co., 33035 Transit Avenue, Union City, CA 94587.

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