Big Lots Ground Black Pepper Recall Due to Salmonella

Fresh Finds Ground Black Pepper from Big Lots is being recalled because testing by federal regulators found samples of the product were contaminated with Salmonella.

New Jersey based Gel Spice Company, Inc. has issued a recall of its Fresh Finds Ground Black Pepper, which was distributed and sold by Big Lots Stores, because it may have the potential to make people sick.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tested samples of the product and found they contained Salmonella bacteria.

A Salmonella infection, called salmonellosis, can cause symptoms such as fever, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Healthy people usually recover from the infection within a few days. However, salmonellosis in the elderly, young children or those with compromised immune systems can cause serious illness requiring hospitalization. It can be fatal. In some cases, the infection can enter the bloodstream and cause arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and reactive arthritis, called Reiter’s syndrome.

This Fresh Finds Ground Black Pepper recall affects more than 16,000 cases of the product.

Consumers can identify the recalled black pepper by the UPC Code 4 11010 98290 1 on the label affixed to the 3.53 oz. plastic bottle and Best By Dates of 6/30/17, 7/01/17, 7/02/17, 7/22/17, and 7/23/17. Other sizes or Best By Dates of Fresh Finds Ground Black Pepper are not recalled.

The product was sold exclusively in Big Lots Stores nationwide, except in the states of Alaska and Hawaii.

If you find the recalled black pepper in your pantry, dispose of it. Gel Spice Company and Big Lots Stores are not offering any replacement or refund for the recalled product.