Whole Foods Market has also issued a Recall of its Private label Brand Tahini.

The Recall is for: 365 Organic Everyday Value Sesame Tahini 16-oz Jar

Contact Whole Foods at:

Phone: (512) 477-5566 Extension 20656
or via email at privatelabel.customerservice@wholefoods.com.

My speculation:

This is connected to the nSpire Recall of the Maranatha Tahini 16ounce size. Read the May 30,2007 Alkaline Lifestyle Blog Post about the nSpire Recall.

Whole Foods is recommending that you bring in the Jars for a refund.
I suggest:
Return any and all UNOPENED bottles of 16 ounce Sesame Tahini to where you bought it and get a refund.
The Date code on the Jars is on the Metal Lid right in the center on the Outside.
The recall is for ALL 16 ounce jars with UPC number 0009948240599 and a Use by Date of 10/02/07 and earlier.

Example: If the lid has a date of 09/05/07 it is part of the Recall.
If the date is 12/01/07 it is OK.

If you have used any of the product in the Jar, do not return it for a refund now.
I suggest you SAVE it. Place the whole jar in a Zip Locked Plastic bag and place it back in the refrigerator.
Wait 30 Days and if all is well with everyone who consumed it, then dispose of it.

If God Forbid you or your child suffered harm and you quickly returned the only evidence of the cause, According to the Lawyers you could be with out any recourse and proof in a claim of action for damages.
The companies involved in this Food recall want to limit their exposure; legally and financially.
That has very little to do with YOUR burden if some one you love is harmed by the product.
Why rush to get a refund for less than $7.00 Dollars, when if some one is harmed, the damages YOU suffer could run into the hundreds of thousands of Dollars over a lifetime.

Wait the 30 days before doing anything and again SAVE the Jar with the product stored back in the refrigerator.

I called the Whole Foods phone number listed in the Press release and they answered promptly and said no receipt was required to return the product.

As I said in the May 30th Blog Post ,I recommend that you save ALL your food purchase receipts, even if it is throwing them in a box on the floor in your home office and then dumping them at the end of the year.

Be wise: If you were harmed by a food product, prove that you bought it at the store will be the first question a defending Lawyer is going to ask.
A receipt from the store and a jar with the preserved contaminated product will probably win your case every time.
This is not the Last time something like this is going to happen so be prepared by:

1. Saving all your Food purchase receipts
2. Staying tuned to the FDA Recall Alerts
3. Living the Alkaline Lifestyle

The Company’s Press release from the FDA Website:

Whole Foods Market Issues Nationwide Recall of 365 Organic Everyday Value Sesame Tahini
Contact:Kate Lowery(512) 542-0390
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Austin, TX -- May 22, 2007 - Whole Foods Market is voluntarily recalling 365 Organic Everyday Value Sesame Tahini 16-oz, with a Best By Date of 10/02/07 or earlier because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with this bacteria may cause salmonellosis, a foodborne illness. In young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, salmonellosis may cause serious and sometimes deadly infections. In otherwise healthy people, salmonellosis may cause short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.
365 Organic Everyday Value Sesame Tahini was distributed nationally through Whole Foods Market retail stores. The product comes in a 16-oz glass jar with the UPC number 0009948240599. The Best By Date is located on the top of the lid of the jar, any Best By Date of 10/02/07 or earlier is being recalled. No confirmed illnesses have been reported to date.
Potential salmonella contamination was brought to the attention of Whole Foods Market by the product's manufacturer. As a result, the company is voluntarily recalling this product as a precautionary measure and has put additional safety measures in place. No other Whole Foods Market Private Label products have been affected by this recall.
Consumers who have purchased 365 Organic Everyday Value Sesame Tahini can return it to Whole Foods Market for a full refund. Questions may be directed to the Company by calling (512) 477-5566 x20656 or via email at privatelabel.customerservice@wholefoods.com.
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