The Kane County Health Department is alerting residents that Starwest Botanicals is voluntarily recalling Starwest Botanicals Organic Cardamom Pods Green (Whole), which is packaged in Mylar 1 pound bags and in bulk packs, due to concerns about Salmonella contamination.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism entering the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e. infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

According to the Food & Drug Administration, the product was sold nationwide by several different methods. It was either shipped directly to Starwest Botanicals customers who purchased online from firm’s website or mail order customers, or held for pickup up by the customer at Starwest Botanicals.

The product was sold between Jan.15, 2018, and March 2, 2018.

• The lot number of Starwest Botanicals Organic Cardamom Pods Green (Whole) 1 pound with UPC 7-6796302528-9 included in this recall. The item# 209735-01 and lot number (75593) can be found on the label affixed to the bag.
• The lot number of Starwest Botanicals Organic Cardamom Pods Green (Whole) bulk pack with UPC 7-6796302527-2 included in this recall. The item# 209735-00 and lot number (90186-00) can be found on the label affixed to the bulk pack.

No other lots of Starwest Botanicals Organic Cardamom Pods Green (Whole) are affected by this recall, and no illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this voluntary recall. No other Starwest Botanicals products have been affected by this voluntary recall.

Consumers in possession of this voluntary recalled product may return it to Starwest Botanicals in Sacramento, CA, for a full refund. Consumers with questions should contact Starwest at 1-800-800-4372 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday.

SOURCE: Kane County Health Department, FDA