Contact: Lisa Largent: 831.758.7810

July 30, 2008, Salinas, CA – NewStar Fresh Foods has issued a voluntary recall for Fresh Cilantro because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, 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), endocarditis and arthritis.

The Salmonella identified is NOT the Saintpaul strain currently implicated in the Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak.

The product is packaged in 1 pound clear plastic bags under the brand names NewStar Fresh Foods, Markon, and Cross Valley Farms.  The company has already contacted all foodservice customers to immediately recall fresh Cilantro with Product Lot ID # 11B056404 and either an expired best-if-used by dates of July 26th and 27th or a Julian code of 192 or 193.

Even though the product use-by date had expired, the company acted immediately to recover all potentially affected cases out of an abundance of caution to protect consumer well-being. The Cilantro was distributed to foodservice customers located in Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Washington, New York, Oregon, Ohio, Louisiana, Tennessee, Arkansas, North Carolina, Kentucky, New Mexico, Alabama, California, Texas, Georgia, Utah, Mississippi, Arizona, Florida, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Alberta.

No consumer illnesses have been reported in connection with the Cilantro.  

The recall was the result of a routine sampling program by the Michigan Department of Agriculture which revealed that the finished product contained the bacteria.  The company is working closely with regulatory authorities to ensure the small number of cartons, approximately 1,100, are recovered and destroyed, if any such cartons exist.  

Customers who have purchased the products are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.  Customers with questions may contact NewStar Fresh Foods at 1-831-758-7810.

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MI Department of Agriculture: Jennifer Holton, Public Information Officer, 517-241-2485 or holtonj@michigan.gov.