Following an intervention by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), organic products, including snacks popular with Indian consumers, are being recalled from the USA.
Nine products exported to the United States by Bliss Tree, a company based in Tiruchi, Tamil Nadu, were recalled because they contained undeclared milk and/or sesame seeds.
“FDA’s review of product labels found that milk and/or sesame are not declared. People with allergies or severe sensitivity to milk and sesame are at risk of severe or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products, which are not listed as ingredients on the label,” the USFDA said on August 23.
These products were imported into the US by Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar Overseas LLC, based in New Jersey. According to the US FDA, the recalled products – Ragi Butter Murukku, Millet Butter Murukku, Millet Butter Ribbon Pakoda, Moringa Butter Murukku, Curry Leaf Butter Murukku and Millet Butter Karasev – contained undeclared milk, while the Millet Butter Murukku (200 g) also contained sesame seeds, which is an allergen.
Milk and sesame are both considered common allergens that can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. The packaging states that the food is manufactured by Sri Velavan Agro, based in Tiruchi.
Sri Velavan Agro, the manufacturer of Bliss Tree products, claims on its website to be “known for its high quality natural food products. The ideology of this company is to revive the lost glories of nutritional heritage and enable people to live healthy, infection-free and joyful lives. The company follows high ethical standards in maintaining purity throughout the entire process from ‘farm to fork’.”
Meanwhile, the USFDA stated, “The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the milk/sesame containing products were distributed in packaging that did not identify the milk/sesame containing products. A subsequent investigation determined that the issue was caused by a temporary disruption in the company’s packaging processes. Production and distribution of the product have been suspended until FDA and the company are confident that the issue has been resolved.”
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Bikano in the USA
Bikano, a well-known name in the Indian food market, recently had to recall one of its products in the US after it was found to possibly contain bacteria that cause food poisoning.
Thal Golden Spices Inc., based in Hayward, California, has recalled 640 packs of “Bikano Moong Dal 350 g” due to possible salmonella contamination, according to a recall order issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) on August 4.
“Salmonella are organisms that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, frail or elderly people, and people with weakened immune systems. Healthy people infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain,” the U.S. FDA said.
The agency also noted that in rare cases, infection with *Salmonella* can cause the bacteria to enter the bloodstream, which can lead to more serious conditions such as artery infections (e.g. infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis. The U.S. FDA also mentioned that the product was distributed through retail stores in California, but stressed that no illnesses have been reported to date.
Thal Golden Spices Inc. recently discovered an oversight in the distribution process of one of its products. The company announced that the product was released without proper laboratory results, an issue that came to light during a routine FDA inspection. Inspectors found discrepancies in lot numbers that were to be destroyed. “We are actively addressing this situation to ensure compliance and correct the error,” the company stated.
The USFDA has advised consumers who purchased Bikano Moong Dal 350 g with a best before date of June 25, 2025, to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. *Salmonella* is a type of bacteria that commonly causes foodborne illness called salmonellosis and is one of the most common causes of diarrhea worldwide. The bacteria are typically found in raw or undercooked poultry, eggs, meat, unpasteurized milk or juice, contaminated water, and sometimes on fruits and vegetables.
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Symptoms of salmonellosis:
Symptoms usually appear six hours to six days after infection and may include:
– Diarrhea (which may be bloody)
– Fever
– Abdominal cramps
– Nausea
– Vomiting
– Headache
(Edited by Neena)
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