Chad Oliphant, of Smiling Hara Tempeh has announced that the company has initiated a voluntary recall of all Smiling Hara products out of an abundance of caution.
The products in question were manufactured between January 11, and April 11, 2012. This includes all varieties and sizes of tempeh with a Best Buy date of 7/11/12 through 10/25/12.
Consumers should not consume the products in question and should return them immediately to the place of purchase for a full refund. Those wanting more information can contact the company at smilingharatempeh@yahoo.com
Our products were distributed primarily in Western North Carolina, with limited distribution in the Southeastern USA. At this point and time all products have been withdrawn and accounted for.
Please contact your local health department if you have any concerns or symptoms. Here is the link to the Buncombe County Health Department website:
http://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/health/News_Detail.aspx?newsID=12251
We will be keeping our website updated as we gather information on the source of this issue and how we plan to resolve it.
AS OF YESTERDAY 5/4/12, LAB RESULTS HAVE COME IN FROM RALIEGH PROVING THAT THE SOURCE OF SALMONELLA IS COMING FROM OUR SPORE INOCULUM(CULTURE)WHICH IS SOURCED FROM OUT OF STATE.
“For us it means that we’ve identified the point of entry,” says Chad Oliphant of Smiling Hara. “It had nothing to do with our sanitation, protocol or Blue Ridge Food Ventures. It did not originate in Asheville and it was unknowingly passed along to us. So it’s a big relief to us. Now we can look at moving forward — it’s up to the FDA to trace this further.”
Here are some links for further information on the Salmonella outbreak:
http://www.mountainx.com/article/42630/Salmonella-in-Asheville-tempeh-came-from-outside-source-says-Dept.-of-Agriculture-updated
http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20120502/NEWS/305020035/Salmonella-outbreak-growing?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage
