Recall affects Goodland company
By DAWNE LEIKER
A massive recall of products containing hydrolyzed vegetable protein, HVP, has affected local grocery stores and a Goodland spice company.
The Food and Drug Administration has been issuing recalls over the past week for products containing HVP, a flavor enhancer used in many processed foods. A customer of Las Vegas-based Basic Food Flavors tested a batch of HVP it purchased from the company and found salmonella bacteria, according to a report from Food Safety News.
The additive is used in thousands of foods but has not been linked to any illness. It represents a low risk to consumers, according to the FDA Web site. However, the FDA has asked food producers to check inventories for items that contain the recalled lots of HVP.
Olde Westport Spice, a Goodland company, is recalling its Garden Harvest Special Blend Seasoning. The recalled seasoning was sold online, at food and craft shows in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas and Colorado, and at specialty gift shops from November through February.
Judy Peterson, owner of Olde Westport Spice, said only one of the company's spices was affected, because its other products are cooking spices.
"The only reason this one was recalled is because it can be used in a dip," she said.
The FDA has cleared all other Olde Westport products, and Peterson said they have complied with the FDA's instructions "to the T."
The recall has caused a week's delay in shipping products.
"We were very fortunate that we weren't affected too much," she said.
Local grocery stores have been removing food products as a result of FDA recalls.
"We are committed to providing our customers safe food products," said a representative of Walmart corporate compliance group. "We are removing products that contain affected HVP. Because it is contained in many products, it's an ongoing process."
Dillons stores reportedly were sending out automated calls to customers urging them to check their pantries for recalled items.