Nationwide recall for two more brands of chips for Salmonella

Herr Foods Inc. has issued a nationwide recall of chipotle-flavored potato chips sold under two brands because a powdered milk ingredient in the seasoning could be contaminated with Salmonella.

“These products were flavored with Chipotle seasoning that contained a milk ingredient manufactured by a secondary supplier of Chesapeake Spice Co. The milk ingredient is being recalled due to a potential risk of Salmonella contamination,” according to a recall notice posted on the Herr’s website Wednesday.

“Although no lab tests have confirmed the presence of Salmonella in these products and no illnesses have been reported, Herr’s is voluntarily issuing an immediate recall of these products in conjunction with FDA (Food and Drug Administration) guidance with an abundance of caution and with adherence to strict quality standards of Herr Foods Inc.”

Based in Nottingham, PA, Herr Foods distributed the two brands of chips — Herr’s and Peddler’s Pantry — nationwide through grocery stores and other retailers. The chips are sold in individual bags that are gold, white and brown.

Because of the long shelf life of the chips, there is concern that consumers may have them in their homes. Consumers can identify the recalled chips by looking for the following information on the packaging. The lot number is on the front in the upper right-hand corner. The UPC number is on the back at the lower right-hand corner.

The three products subject to the recall are:

• Herr’s Smoked Chipotle Kettle Cooked Potato Chips, 2.625 ounces with the UPC number 72600 03339 and best-by dates from Nov. 13, 2016, through March 27, 2017;
• Herr’s Smoked Chipotle Kettle Cooked Potato Chips, 8 ounces with the UPC number 72600 03420 and best-by dates from Nov. 26, 2016, through April 24, 2017; and
• Peddler’s Pantry Smoke Dried Chipotle Kettle Cooked Potato Chips, 2 ounces with the UPC number 72600 07789 and best-by dates from Dec. 25, 2016, through March 27, 2017.

“Customers and consumers who have purchased the recalled product should not consume them and should return them to the retailer where they were purchased for a full refund. Consumers with questions may call 800-523-5030,” according to the recall notice.

Since Dec. 7, more than a dozen companies have recalled a wide variety of food products, from macaroni and cheese to frozen cream puffs, because of potentially contaminated powdered milk ingredients.

Anyone who has consumed any of the recalled products and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctors about the possible exposure to the pathogen.

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections.

Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

Related recalls
The companies that named the powdered milk supplier said the potentially contaminated ingredients came from the Valley Milk Products production plant in Strasburg, VA. At the request of the FDA, armed U.S. Marshals raided the plant on Dec. 1 and seized 4 million pounds of powdered milk and powdered buttermilk.

On Dec. 9 Valley Milk Products recalled 3.1 million pounds of powdered milk products produced and sold in the period from Dec. 5, 2015, through July 10, 2016. While the FDA has access to company records showing who bought the recalled powdered milk, and when, it cannot publish those details because of a federal law protecting “confidential corporate information.”

In a document filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia the FDA reported environmental swabs collected at the production facility returned positive results for Salmonella. Inspectors also found internal records at Valley Milk that showed the company itself had found Salmonella in the facility and in finished products.

For additional details on other recalls related to the Valley Milk Products problems with Salmonella, please see:

• Armed federal agents seize milk products from major cooperative
• Publix recalls mixes; cites powdered milk Salmonella problem
• Stonewall Kitchen recalls mixes for tainted powdered milk
• Great Value, other mac & cheese brands recalled for Salmonella
• Monkey bread mix recalled for Salmonella in powdered milk
• Chips recalled for Salmonella in powdered milk seasoning
• Mac & cheese sold at Aldi, Dollar Tree recalled for Salmonella
• New Hope Mills recalls crepe mix because of powdered milk
• Frozen desserts recalled for Salmonella risk in powdered milk
• Powdered milk Salmonella risk hits Roundy’s, Old Dutch chips
• Powdered milk forces Albertsons, HEB, Safeway bakery recalls
• Williams-Sonoma recalls mix for problem with powdered milk
• Houdini recalls gift baskets from Costco, Sam’s Club, others
• Snyder chips recalled for powdered milk Salmonella risk
• Dieffenbach’s recalls chips for Salmonella threat in seasoning

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