Salmonella contamination of Lebanese tahini products

Heads of environmental health services and directors of trading standards will wish to be aware that, following further investigation into 16kg tins of tahini manufactured by S.H. Yaman & Sons, referred to in FHW 29/2003, issued on 26/09/2003, other sized containers of tahini have been found to test positive for Salmonella. The implicated brand is:

Samih Hassan Al Yaman & Sons
ABOU EL HASSSAN
AL YAMAN
Super Tahineh

Description of Products
This tahini is available in 454g (1lb) and 907g (2lb) plastic tubs. The affected best before dates are from January 2005 and up to and including July 2005. It is manufactured by S.H. Al-yaman & Sons in Lebanon. The product is described on the label as Super Tahineh 100% Crème de Sesame. The plastic tubs are beige coloured with the lettering in green and a green screw top lid. To assist local authorities in correct identification, pictures are available below.

Action Taken by the Food Standards Agency
The FSA has informed the European Commission and requested that action be taken by the Lebanese Authorities to investigate the salmonella contamination of this product.

Action to be taken by local authorities
The importer is undertaking a trade withdrawal of the product but there is a strong possibility that this product remains on sale. The product is likely to be sold in retail/wholesale premises and delicatessens that specialise in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Turkish and Greek style foods. Local Authorities should take all necessary steps to ensure that this product is not on sale within their area. If the product is found, it should be removed from sale and destroyed.

Local authorities should also facilitate local media dissemination of the information contained in this food hazard warning, particularly in areas with Middle Eastern, Turkish and Greek communities.

It is expected that action by local authorities will be initiated as soon as possible after receipt of this food hazard warning.