Chinese Ingredients in Seasoning Likely Source of Salmonella Outbreak
Seasonings made with imported Chinese ingredients may be the source of the Salmonella Wadsworth outbreak linked to Veggie Booty snack food. According to the maker of Veggie Booty, Robert’s American Gourmet Food, “Our preliminary independent test results have indicated that it is the veggie seasoning that is the likely cause. Sources of origin on all components of the seasoning have been determined to be primarily from China. This seasoning is used on Veggie Booty and Super Veggie Tings ONLY.”
The company recalled Veggie Booty on June 28 and Super Veggie Tings on July 2.
There have been a number of recalls of products from China in the last few months. Contaminated pet food with ingredients from China allegedly sickened and killed thousands of dogs and cats in the United States. As a result, there were numerous pet food recalls. Toothpaste made in China and sold in the United States (and other countries) was recalled due to a poisonous compound used in anti-freeze. Toys and tires manufactured in China have also been recalled in the last few weeks.
China is a major producer of many processed items commonly used in food, such as vitamins, seasonings, preservatives and colorings. Many processed foods use these items.
As consumers, we cannot protect ourselves from tainted Chinese food products because in many cases nothing on the food label states that an ingredient is from China. Very likely most consumers eat something every day that has an ingredient in it from China. Something has to be done. Right now, a minuscule fraction of food products coming from China are tested for foodborne pathogens and dangerous chemicals. There has to be more testing or food products from China need to be banned. One tainted food product could potentially kill or seriously sicken thousands. What if a popular breakfast cereal became tainted? This is preventable.
As the country waits for the U.S. government to protect us from tainted food products, manufacturers should take the initiative and NOT USE ANY INGREDIENTS FROM CHINA. Having safe food is more important than having vitamin-enriched food that carries a risk of illness. Food coloring is unnecessary.