In a nutshell: Sesame seeds may cause salmonella or food poisoning.

January 28, 2008 Shiloh Farms, of New Holland, Pennsylvania, is recalling Shiloh Farms Organic Unhulled Sesame Seeds, 12-oz., because it may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Salmonella is an organism which 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 circumstance, 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), endocarditism, and arthritis. Consumers with the above symptoms should consult their doctor.

No illnesses have been reported in connection with this product.

This product comes in a 12 oz blue and white 5-inch x 8-inch plastic bag with a Shiloh Farms logo and USDA organic symbol. The UPC bar code number is 047593303545. The firm’s name and address appears on the back of the plastic bag. Product distributed between November 1, 2007 and January 25, 2008 is being recalled. Only product with lot codes 17503 and 17133 are affected.

The contamination was identified when FDA testing revealed the presence of salmonella in a sample of organic sesame seeds from a Shiloh Farms supplier.

The recalled Shiloh Farms product was distributed to a total of 98 health food stores located in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Arkansas.

The company is asking stores to discontinue distribution of this product and to promptly return the product and stock on hand to the company for credit. Consumers should not consume this product and return this product to the point of purchase for a refund.

Consumers with questions may contact Shiloh Farms, (800) 362-6832