Friday, February 1, 2008

Dip Recalled - Possible Clostridium botulinum

The California Department of Public Health is warning consumers that Olivier brand Parmesan & Asiago Dip with Garlic & Basil may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. The dip, which was produced by Olivier Olive Oil Products, Inc. of Saint Helena, CA, was distributed nationwide through Williams Sonoma stores and through Olivier Napa Valley retail stores in California. The company has initiated a voluntary recall of the suspect dip.

The recalled product has been packed in 11.76 oz jars with any of the following lot numbers:
  • OPA 34171
  • OPA 23471
  • OAP 17271
  • OAP 17671
  • OAP 36061
  • OAP 36161
  • OPA 33961
Clostridium botulinum produces a toxin that can paralyze the nervous system, and can be deadly. If you have purchased this product, please do NOT taste it. Either discard it or return it to the place of purchase for refund.

2 comments:

  1. I am concerned that the factory conditions and/or product formulations which led to this recall are not clearly understood and, therefore, could lead to additional low-acid conditions within the containers of ALL products. Also, the manufacturers press release currently suggests that consumers return identified lots to their retail source or double-wrap packages and dispose in a 'locked or controlled area.' To better resolve potential factory/formulation conditions that led to this product recall, why isn't all identified product double-packaged and returned to the manufacturer for further inspection? Who can be sure that disposal locations for 10,000 jars of potentially-tainted cheese oil are all 'locked and controlled?' This recall seems entirely inadequate to identify a potential lack of internal manufacturer Quality Control protocols which MUST include internal-audit procedures to better safeguard public health.

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  2. To Anonymous: I agree completely with your observations and your concerns. For those who are interested, here is the link to the company's website and recall press release.

    http://www.oliviernapavalley.com/

    I am also bothered by the absence of a national recall notice on these products, given that their distribution is nationwide through Williams Sonoma stores. As of yesterday afternoon, at least one Williams Sonoma retail outlet was blissfully unaware of the recall.

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