Subject: Recall of Unilever's Slim Fast Due to Possible Contamination with B. cereus - ACTION REQUESTED
Date: 12/7/2009; 10:15:56
Message#: 101448-12-7-2009-PHAD
Contact Info: Alan L. Talarsky, NJDHSS/CEHS/Food and Drug Safety Program
Phone: 609-588-3123; Email:
at2@njlincs.netAttachments: None
Please review the attached message from Alan Talarsky, Environmental Scientist 1, Food and Drug Safety Program, DHSS regarding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Class 1 Recall of Unilever's Slim Fast due to possible contamination with Bacillus cereus.
Unilever United States, Inc., in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is conducting a nationwide voluntary recall of all Slim-Fast® ready-to-drink (RTD) products in cans, due to the possibility of contamination with Bacillus cereus, a micro-organism, which may cause diarrhea and possibly nausea and/or vomiting. The probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.
The products were sold in stores nationwide.
Product Description:
The products are packaged in paperboard cartons and contain four, six or 12 steel cans that are 11 FL OZ (325 mL) each. Individual cans are also sold in certain retail outlets. The recall involves all Slim-Fast® RTD products in cans, regardless of flavor, Best-By date, lot code or UPC number. A listing of all RTD recalled products is attached to this press release.
No other Slim-Fast® products are affected by this recall. No Slim-Fast® powdered shakes, meal bars, or snack bars are affected by this recall.
The recall was initiated after the company conducted quality testing on Slim-Fast® RTD products in cans. Out of an abundance of caution, the company is recalling all RTD products in cans that are currently in distribution centers, on-shelf or in back rooms in retail outlets or in consumers’ homes. The company is in the process of identifying and correcting the production issue, and will resume production and shipment of the product when the issue has been addressed and corrected.
Consumers who have purchased Slim-Fast® RTD products in cans are urged to discard them immediately and contact the company at 1-800-896-9479 for a full refund. The Consumer Services Center is open Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM ET. A recorded message is available 24/7.
At this time, FDSP is recommending that local health department officials, during the course of routine inspections, verify that the recalled products are not remaining on retail food establishments' shelves or offered in foodservice operations for consumption.
If any developments or requests for assistance from FDA are received, FDSP will promptly notify you.
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For all recalls - http://www.recalls.gov/recent.html
This information has been distributed to: DHSS Senior Staff; DHSS Staff; LINCS Coordinator Backups; LINCS Coordinators; LINCS Epidemiologists; LINCS Health Educators; LINCS Health Officer Assistants; LINCS Health Officers; LINCS Health Planners; LINCS IT Specialists; LINCS Partnership Coordinators; LINCS Public Health Nurses; LINCS Regional Health Planners; LINCS Team Members; LOCAL Health Officers; LOCAL Public Health; Food Safety Organizations
Further distribution of this message should be directed to: n/a
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