The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting consumers of potential Salmonella Tennessee contamination of Soom Foods Chocolate Sweet Tahini Halva Spread. This product is individually packaged in 1 oz. (30 ML) pouches or packets with a stamped lot number of “67333D” on the bottom. The spread is packaged in purple laminated paper packets with a tear-away tab on one end.  

In response to the investigation of the Salmonella Concord outbreak, FDA analyzed retain product samples of Soom Foods Chocolate Sweet Tahini Halva Spread. The FDA analysis of the samples found that the product contained Salmonella Tennessee. The FDA advises consumers to not eat this product and to discard it.

Soom Foods was notified of the Chocolate Sweet Tahini Halva Spread product testing positive for Salmonella Tennessee, but has not yet acted to protect public health by recalling the product. These particular products may have been distributed by various retailers as samples. Retailers should not sell or give away this product and should discard it.

Currently, the FDA is not aware of any illnesses related to consumption of these individually-packed halva spread.

Salmonella is a bacterium that makes people sick. The illness, salmonellosis, usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment. Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps between 12 and 72 hours after infection.

Consumers who develop symptoms should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.