McCormick Recalling Ground Oregano Due to Salmonella Concerns

Check your spice rack for McCormick® Ground Oregano as the company has issued a recall of certain lots due to risk of Salmonella contamination.

In a release posted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website, McCormick & Company, Inc. has issued a voluntary recall of 0.75 oz. bottles of Ground Oregano after routine testing by the FDA found the product is potentially contaminated with Salmonella.

Consumers may have bought this Ground Oregano anytime since the beginning of April, 2014 and can identify the recalled product by locating the UPC number 0-523561-6 on the label and the date code BEST BY AUG 21 16 H or BEST BY AUG 22 16 H.

Salmonella is a bacteria. People infected with Salmonella may develop Salmonellosis, an illness characterized by symptoms including diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12-72 hours after infection. Salmonellosis generally lasts about seven days and most people recover without medical treatment. However, in at risk populations such as the young, elderly or those with compromised immune systems, the infection can require hospitalization or become fatal.

1,032 cases of the product are affected. The company shipped these lots April 4, 2014 through August 5, 2014 to stores in AL, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, and WV, as well as internationally.

While there are no reports of illness related to the Ground Oregano, the company has warned all retailers to remove these product lots from shelves and destroy them. Consumers should do the same. They do not need to return the product to the place of purchase for a refund. Call McCormick Consumer Affairs at 1-800-632-5847 to obtain a replacement or full refund.

The recall does not affect any other McCormick products.