Earth Fare Recalls Veggie Burgers for Possible Salmonella Contamination

UPDATE: 3 p.m. 6/18/2011

According to Dorothy Carlow, 's vice president of marketing and business development, the company was notified yesterday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that a sample of its spicy black bean veggie burger had tested positive for salmonella.  

She said the company worked with the FDA to notify consumers of the problem by notifying the Associated Press late yesterday. "In the two-and-a-half years I have been with Earth Fare we have never had a problem with an Earth Fare product," Carlow said. "We want anyone who has (the product) to return it to us or just get rid of it. We'll give them a refund or replacement."

The recalled products are sold in 10-ounce boxes with a UPC code of 8-78602-00518 and lot codes #05311 and #06711.

The burgers in question were only sold at the Fairlawn store, which opened May 11. Carlow said the company didn't reach out to local shoppers through its local Twitter feed or its Facebook page, which has 1,716 fans. "First and foremost we had to make sure we were getting the news out in a way that was approved by the FDA," Carlow said. "We haven't taken any steps to use social media -- or to decide whether we will.  Honestly we haven't even thought about it," Carlow said. "I'll be calling someone about it in the next few minutes."

Carlow said she does not know the name of the company that produces the veggie burgers for Earth Fare, how many of the products will have to be scrapped and is not sure when the brand will return to the shelves.

There have been no reports of illness from associated with the spicy black bean veggie burgers so far. It is the only product subject to the FDA recall, Carlow said.

Anyone who bought the burgers can return them to the Fairlawn Earth Fare store or contact Earth Fare for more information 828-281-4800, extension 180. 

Infections caused from Salmonella can be serious or fatal. From the U.S. Department of Agriculture Web site: Salmonella bacteria are the most frequently reported cause of foodborne illness. In order to reduce salmonellosis, a comprehensive farm-to-table approach to food safety is necessary. Farmers, industry, food inspectors, retailers, food service workers, and consumers are each critical links in the food safety chain. This document answers common questions about the bacteria Salmonella, describes how the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is addressing the problems of Salmonella contamination on meat and poultry products, and offers guidelines for safe food handling to prevent bacteria, such asSalmonella, from causing illness. 

The recall information from U.S. Food and Drug Administration can be read here.

1 p.m. 6/18/2011

According to Foodsafetynews.com,  is recalling veggie burgers sold at its Fairlawn store because a sampling of the product tested positive for salmonella. 

The recalled products are sold in 10-ounce boxes with a UPC code of 8-78602-00518 and lot codes #05311 and #06711.

A representative from Fairlawn store  referred us to Earth Fare headquarters, which has not yet returned calls and emails for comment.

The recall information from U.S. Food and Drug Administration can be read here.

Here is the text of the report from Food Safety News.com:

A North Carolina company is recalling frozen bean burgers sold in Ohio because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Earth Fare of Fletcher, NC, said the recall of its Spicy Bean Burger was the result of a routine sampling program by the Food and Drug Administration, which revealed that the finished product contained the bacteria.

No illnesses have been reported in connection with the bean burgers.

Earth Fare has removed all affected lot codes from all store shelves as the FDA and the company continue their investigation into the cause of the problem. The product was distributed and sold only at the Earth Fare in Akron, OH.

The recalled products are sold in 10-ounce boxes with a UPC code of 8-78602-00518 and lot codes #05311 and #06711. No other frozen veggie Earth Fare products were affected.

Consumers who purchased the recalled product are urged to return it to the store for a full refund. Consumers with questions may call the company by calling 828-281-4800, extension 180, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. 

Salmonella 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.