Salmonella contamination concerns prompt tahini recall

Al-Wahan tahini, sold in 18kg packages, was recalled on Jan. 27 over salmonella contamination concerns. (CFIA)

Update: Naz’s Falafel House says the CFIA did not take any samples it examined from Naz’s Falafel House rather the samples it examined came from the restaurant suggesting any contamination came from the restaurant’s handling of the product since the lab results for Naz’s Falafel House were negative for Salmonella.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is encouraging customers to return or throw out select Al-Watan brand tahini products that may be contaminated with salmonella.

In its warning issued Monday, the agency says it recalled 18-kilogram packages with a manufacturing date, which appears as the ‘PRO’ date on the product label, of up to and including August 2024.

The tahini packages were distributed throughout Ontario.

CFIA officials say no one should consume the recalled products as the potential salmonella contamination could result in health issues including fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhea and severe arthritis. The risk is of greater concern in young children, pregnant people, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.

Naz’s Falafel House Inc. triggered the recall. According to the CFIA, there have been no reports of illness connected to the affected tahini.

Correction: A previous version of the story suggested a Canadian company produced the product. The story has been updated to correct that statement.