The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is actively investigating positive findings of Salmonella Tennessee in hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) manufactured by Basic Food Flavors Inc. in Las Vegas, Nev. HVP is a flavor enhancer used in a wide variety of processed food products such as soups, sauces, chilis, stews, hot dogs, gravies, seasoned snack foods, dips and dressings. It is often blended with other spices to make seasonings that are used in or on foods. To date, no associated consumer illnesses have been reported. Only HVP manufactured by Basic Food Flavors is involved in this recall.

In coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, other federal agencies, and state health departments, FDA is closely monitoring and assessing the potential risks of illness from affected products. The FDA conducted an investigation at the facility after a customer of Basic Food Flavors reported finding Salmonella Tennessee in one production lot of HVP.

“Our investigators were able to identify this problem before any illnesses occurred,” said FDA commissioner Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg. “While the investigation is continuing, the agency is supporting reasonable steps to continue to protect the public health.”

The FDA collected and analyzed samples at the facility and confirmed the presence of Salmonella Tennessee in the company’s processing equipment. Basic Food Flavors is recalling all hydrolyzed vegetable protein in powder and paste form that it has produced since Sept. 17, 2009.

“This situation clearly underscores the need for new food safety legislation to equip FDA with the tools we need to prevent contamination,” said Dr. Jeff Farrar, associate commissioner for food protection, FDA’s Office of Foods.

The FDA is recommending that consumers should:

• Check www.foodsafety.gov¹ for a list of recalled products
• Remember to follow cooking instructions for all foods
• Report symptoms of Salmonella or other food-related illness to your local
  health care professional.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Infected healthy people often experience fever, diarrhea (which could be bloody), nausea,vomiting, and abdominal pain. Most healthy people recover within four to seven days without treatment. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses, such as arterial infections (infected aneurysms), infection of the lining of the heart, and arthritis.