Grace Curry among brands affected by US recall
Published:Monday | August 15, 2016 | 12:00 AMSteven Jackson
THE US food regulator issued an order for Miami-based Oriental Packing Company Inc to recall some 377,000 pounds of curry products, on which companies including GraceKennedy Limited stamp their brands.
The order, issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday, indicated that the curry products were contaminated with lead. Lead can accumulate in the body over time and can cause serious and sometimes permanent adverse health consequences.
Regarding the Oriental recall: “No illness has been reported to date,” the FDA said.
The notice named the affected brands as: Blue Mountain, Ocho Rios, Jamaica Choice, Oriental, and Grace. Gleaner Business reached out to GraceKennedy for comment, and while the conglomerate said it was preparing a statement, none was forthcoming up to press time.
The FDA said the recall followed routine sampling by the New York State Health Department, which revealed that the finished products contained lead. The food regulator said Oriental Packing has ceased the production and distribution of the product, while the FDA and the company continues their investigation as to what caused the contamination.
The product was distributed in New York and Florida and was sold through ecommerce channels and retail stores.
The specific products affected are Blue Mountain Country Mild Curry Powder; Blue Mountain Country Hot Curry Powder; Blue Mountain Country Hot Jamaican Jerk Curry Seasoning; Jamaica Choice Mild; Jamaica Hot Curry Powder; Ocho Rios Brand; Ocho-Rios Jamaican Nice Mild Curry Powder; Ocho Rios Spicy Curry Powder; Ocho Rios Jerk Curry Seasoning Mild; Ocho Rios Jerk Curry Seasoning Spicy; Oriental Mild Curry Powder; Oriental Hot Curry Powder; Grace Mild Curry Powder; Grace Hot Curry Powder; Grace Caribbean Curry Powder; and Grace Caribbean Tradition Hot Curry Powder.
Consumers have been advised to dump unused products or return it for refunds.