Another Cilantro Salmonella Recall Issued

Following a fresh cilantro (coriander) recall issued earlier this month by Sweet Superior Fruit, Ltd. after FDA inspections found that some samples were contaminated with salmonella, a different cilantro salmonella recall was issued Wednesday by Frontera Produce, who discovered the presence of bacteria during their own testing.

The Frontera Produce recall is limited to one lot of cilantro (#118122), which was distributed to grocery stores in Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Louisiana and New Mexico.

Grocery stores have been notified to pull the cilantro from store shelves, and consumers who bought cilantro between July 20 and July 27 are urged to look for cilantro bunches tied together in a white twist tie with the word “Cilantro” in pink lettering. The cilantro bunches will have a UPC number of 033383801049.

Although no reports of salmonella food poisoning have been received by Frontera Produce, consumption of the contaminated cilantro may result in serious and sometimes fatal illness.

On July 18, approximately 104 crates of fresh cilantro produced by Sweet Superior Fruit were recalled after FDA inspections found that they may be contaminated with salmonella. That recalled cilantro was sold between July 13th and 16th through retail stores in McAllen, Texas and surrounding areas in black plastic 15 pound crates.

Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause food poisoning which can be especially serious for young children, the elderly, or people with compromised immune systems. Symptoms can include fever, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. It can also result in a blood infection that leads to arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis, but this is rare.

Leaves from cilantro are commonly used in both Chinese and Mexican dishes, such as salsa and guacamole, and the seeds are used in a number of cuisines as well, particularly Asian and Indian dishes, like curry. Though the names cilantro and coriander are interchangeable, many refer to just the seeds, which are actually a fruit, as coriander.