Salmonella outbreak linked to Karawan brand tahini

May 23, 2019

CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Concord infections linked to Karawan brand tahini imported from Israel.

On May 15, 2019, Brodt Zenatti Holding LLC of Jupiter, FL, recalled Karawan brand tahini because it might be contaminated with Salmonella.

Four ill people have been reported from three states (MA, NY, and TX). One person has been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Illnesses started from March 9, 2019, to March 23, 2019.

This outbreak is not related to a recent multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to tahini. This investigation is ongoing, and CDC will provide updates when more information is available.

Do not eat, sell, or serve tahini labeled as “Karawan Tahini” or “El-Karawan Tahini” or products made with this tahini, such as hummus. Retailers and restaurants should not use any Karawan brand tahini. Retailers and restaurants should throw the product out and sanitize any surfaces that may have come in contact with recalled tahini or products made with recalled tahini. Consumers should not eat any Karawan brand tahini.

Throw out any food you made with Karawan brand tahini. Even if some tahini was eaten and no one got sick, do not eat it. Wash containers that held foods made with recalled Karawan brand tahini with hot, soapy water or clean in the dishwasher. Wash surfaces that came into contact with recalled tahini with hot, soapy water.

Contact a healthcare provider if you think you got sick from eating Karawan brand tahini products.

CDC has more information