OTTAWA — The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning consumers not to eat Nature’s Reward brand fresh cilantro due to concerns it may be contaminated with salmonella.
Toronto-based importer Fresh Taste Produce Ltd. is recalling the cilantro, which was sold at Wal-Mart stores in Ontario from Jan. 17 to 27.
The Nature’s Reward brand fresh cilantro is from the United States, and was sold in bunches held together with a twist tie bearing PLU 4889 and UPC 0 33383 80104 9.
The agency says those who purchased the cilantro but are unsure of its PLU and UPC codes should contact the locations where it was bought to see if they have the affected product.
Salmonella-contaminated food may not look or smell spoiled. However, consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause salmonellosis, a food-borne illness.
In young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, salmonellosis may cause serious and sometimes deadly infections.
In otherwise healthy people, salmonellosis may cause short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.