Few details released about new outbreak; company recalls cheeses, dips
Federal officials are investigating a new Salmonella outbreak that is linked to brie and dips from Jule’s Foods. The company has initiated a recall of all of its products.
The Salmonella outbreak has sickened 5 people, according to a notation in the weekly outbreak update from the Food and Drug Administration. The table does not reference the recalled Jule’s Foods products. As of midnight the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had not posted an outbreak notice.
“To date, FDA has preliminary confirmation of Salmonella in brie products containing cashews. We are working with the FDA to isolate the source of the pathogen in samples which were collected by the California Department of Public Health. Jule’s Foods is issuing this recall in connection with a Salmonella outbreak under investigation by the FDA and CDC,” according to the Jule’s company recall notice posted by the FDA.
The California company has suspended operations while it assists the FDA with the investigation into the source of the contamination.
Jule’s Foods distributed the recalled products primarily to independently owned grocery stores in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Texas, as well as direct to consumers nationwide.
The company is urging consumers to check their homes for the products and throw them away or return them to the place of purchase. A full list of stores is available at www.JulesFoods.net. To see photos of recalled products, click here.
Consumers can use the following information to determine whether they have the implicated products in their homes:
- Jule’s Cashew Brie (Classic) UPC: 860388001507 – all expiration dates
- Jule’s Truffle Cashew Brie UPC: 860388001514 – all expiration dates
- Jule’s Black Garlic Cashew Brie UPC: 860388001552 – all expiration dates
- Jule’s Artichoke Spinach Dip UPC: 860388001569 – all expiration dates
- Jule’s Vegan Ranch Dressing UPC: 860388001521 – all expiration dates
Consumers with questions may contact the company via email at jules@julesveganfoods.com or telephone at 310-980-4697.
About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.
Anyone who has eaten any recalled products and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.
Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.
Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.
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