Turkana Food Inc. Issues Recall for Aleppo Tahini Sesame Paste Due to Potential Health Hazards

Summary

Company Announcement

Turkana Food Inc., based in Kenilworth, NJ, has initiated a recall of 858 cases of Aleppo Tahini Sesame Paste due to potential contamination with Salmonella. This bacterium poses significant health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations, such as young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Infected individuals may experience symptoms including fever, diarrhea (which can be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In more severe cases, Salmonella infection can enter the bloodstream, leading to serious complications such as arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis. The contaminated Aleppo Tahini Sesame Paste was distributed across multiple states, including Florida, Kentucky, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Texas, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maryland, Alabama, Missouri, and California. The affected product is packaged in a 1 lb (16 oz) plastic jar featuring a gold lid and gold label that reads ‘Aleppo Sesame Paste Tahini.’ The recall includes products with the lot number 120824-01, which can be found on the top portion of the jar, and a UPC label number of 854643003054. The expiration date is marked as August 2026. As of February 5, 2025, no illnesses linked to this product have been reported. The recall follows routine sampling by the Ohio Department of Agriculture, which detected Salmonella in the finished product. Turkana Food Inc. has suspended production and distribution of the affected products while collaborating with the FDA to investigate the source of the contamination. Consumers who have purchased the recalled Aleppo Sesame Paste Tahini are advised not to consume the product and to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. For further inquiries, consumers may contact Turkana Foods Inc. at 908-810-8800 or via email at info@turkanafood.com, available Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM EST.