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Contact:
510-471-6799
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Union City, CA -- April, 15 2009 ---
Union International Food Co. is further expanding the recall of Lian How brand and Uncle Chen brand retail and institutional products to include various size packages of all sauces, oils, and oil blends; in addition to all types of dry spice products in 15-pound and smaller containers (boxes, plastic bags & wide mouth jars) and 30-pound boxes and smaller packages of crushed chili BECAUSE THE PRODUCTS MAY BE CONTAMINATED WITH SALMONELLA.
Union International Food Co. of Union City, CA is recalling all Uncle Chen and Lian How, sauces, oils, and oil blends. These products were packaged in containers ranging from 6 ounces to 1 gallon. Uncle Chen and Lian How products included in this expanded recall are:
100% Pure Sesame Oil | Hot Broad Bean Sauce |
Chinese Sesame Oil | Hunan Red Chili Sauce |
Chinese Style Sesame | Sweet Sauce |
Jaisun Sesame Oil | Sweet Flour Sauce |
Jaisun Blended Soybean and Sesame Oil | Sriracha Chili Sauce |
Meiwei Sesame Oil | Fresh Ground Chili Paste |
Meiwei Blended Soybean and Oil | Garlic Chili Sauce |
100% Black Sesame Oil | Chili Sauce |
Sesame Oil | Garlic Chili Extra Hot Sauce |
Chili Oil | Fresh Chili Sauce |
Superior Chili Oil | Fresh Chili Extra Hot Sauce |
Hot Sesame Oil | Black Bean Garlic Sauce |
Chili Sauce | Bean Sauce |
Hot Bean Sauce | Superior Red Chili Oil |
See the attached list detailing the recalled products.
This recall also includes previous recalled Uncle Chen and Lian How packages of 15-pound and smaller size packages of the Lian How brand dry spices, 30-pound boxes and smaller size packages of Lian How crushed chili, Uncle Chen brand black pepper (whole and ground) in 5oz. retail containers, Uncle Chen white pepper (whole and ground) in 5oz. retail containers and 5 pound plastic bags and the Uncle Chen brand Wasabi powder in 2.2 pound foil bags, 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.
The sauce, oil, and oil-blended products were packaged in retail and institutional size containers ranging from 6 ounce to 1 gallon in plastic or glass bottles. The Uncle Chen and Lian How brand products were distributed in the states of California, Oregon and Washington to retailers, wholesalers, distributors, restaurant suppliers and restaurants. The Lian How brand dry spice products are packaged in 10 or 15lbs. boxes with plastic liners, 5-pound plastic jars or 5-pound plastic bags. The Lian How crushed chili is sold in 30-pound boxes, 8-pound boxes and 3-pound plastic jars. The Uncle Chen brand white & black pepper products (whole or ground) are sold at retail in 5oz. containers. The Uncle Chen brand white pepper (whole or ground) is sold in 5-pound plastic bags. The Uncle Chen brand Wasabi powder is sold in 2.2 pound foil bags. See the attached list detailing the recalled products.
Union International Foods Company has ceased the production and distribution of these products as the US FDA, the 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.
Officials are investigating a multi-state Salmonella outbreak. Salmonella was isolated 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. The Chili Sauce, Sesame Oil and Chili Oil products have not been linked to the outbreak but Union International Food Co. is acting with an abundance of caution to protect the health and well being of our customers. We have discussed the matter with the California Department of Public Health and agreed to initiate a recall.
For updated information or questions about the ongoing investigation, contact the Union International Food Company information line at 510-471-6799 (insert hours of operation) or visit our website at www.ufunionfood.com. Union International Food Co., 33035 Transit Avenue, Union City, CA 94587.
Recalled Product List (updated April 15, 2009)
Previous Press Release (April 2, 2009): FDA Alerts the Public to Uncle Chen and Lian How Brand Dry Spice Product Recall
Previous Recall (March 30, 2009): 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
Previous Recall (April 2, 2009 ): Revised Update: 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
Previous Recall (April 3, 2009 ): Revised Update: 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
California Department Of Public Health Press Release
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