Warning on granola bars with possible Salmonella contamination

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (February 22) advised people not to consume certain batches of organic peanut, apple and wildberry granola bars manufactured by Lovin Oven which are suspected of being contaminated with Salmonella.

US authorities said the manufacturer concerned was recalling the products in the country. Details of the products are as follows:

Product name: Health Valley brand "Organic Peanut Crunch Chewy Granola Bars" (6.1oz box)
Unit UPC Code: 0-35742-15483-4
Lot codes (expiry date): 07DEC09H2, 15JAN10H2, 23FEB10H2, 28FEB10H2, 28MAR10H2, 29MAR10H1, 13APR10H1, 06SEP10H2, 06NOV10H2, 09FEB10H2

Product name: Health Valley brand "Organic Dutch Apple Chewy Granola Bars" (6.1oz box)
Unit UPC Code: 0-35742-15482-7
Lot codes (expiry date): 03JAN10H1, 05FEB10H2, 28MAR10H2, 17AUG10H1

Product name: Health Valley brand "Organic Wildberry Chewy Granola Bars" (6.1oz box)
Unit UPC Code: 0-35742-15481-0
Lot codes (expiry date): 05JAN10H2, 15JAN10H1, 12APR10H1, 06JUL10H1, 08MAR10H1

"The CFS understood that one of the affected products, 'Organic Wildberry Chewy Granola Bars', had been on sale in SOGO and Apita UNY in Hong Kong. The CFS had requested the concerned supermarkets to stop selling the product. If consumers have bought the affected products, they should not consume them, and should seek medical advice if they develop symptoms," a CFS spokesman said.

Salmonella is a pathogen that may cause food poisoning. The symptoms include nausea, fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting. The symptoms are more severe in infants and the elderly.

"The CFS has alerted the trade to stop selling the particular products and is closely monitoring the situation. We will continue to closely communicate with the US authorities and follow up the incident," he added.

Further information on the affected products recalled in the United States could be assessed at www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm201351.htm.
Ends/Monday, February 22, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:30