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Botulism Concerns in Salsa, Con Queso Recall

By Dan Flynn and Suzanna Schreck

Con Queso and salsa distributed in Arizona and Washington are being recalled by a Phoenix company after a routine inspection by the Food and Drug Administration found that the products were not processed according to acidified food regulations.
Mama Rose's Gourmet Foods is voluntarily recalling its Cilantro Con Queso, Garlic Con Queso, Viper Venom Con Queso and Hopi Corn Salsa, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death.
Consumers are warned not to eat the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.
The products being recalled are:
-- Mama Rose's Cilantro Con Queso, UPC Code 7 90648 09020 3
-- Mama Rose's Garlic Con Queso, UPC Code 7 90648 09010 4
-- Mama Rose's Viper Venom Con Queso, UPC Code 7 90648 09000 5 
-- Mama Rose's Hopi Corn Salsa UPC Code 7 906480 1070 6
-- Fred Harvey Hopi Corn Salsa UPC Code 4 52030 16600 4
All of the products are in 12 oz. jars with 6 digit lot numbers beginning with 260 and 270.  White stickers on the bottom of the jars show expiration dates of Jan. 10, 1012 and earlier for the con queso and expiration dates of Jan. 6, 2013 and earlier for the salsa.
The products were distributed to retail stores and gift shops in Arizona and Washington.
The company says it has not received any reports of illness and has voluntarily recalled the products as a precautionary measure. 
Symptoms of Botulism include general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also occur. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

Full post as published by Food Safety News on January 21, 2011 (boomark / email).