Something you bought was just recalled. What does that mean?
What happens when something you purchase is recalled? Is it voluntary or mandatory? And what does it mean for you?
A spice mix sold at Lidl stores in nine states and Washington, DC, is being recalled due to a potential salmonella contamination, according to a notice published on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website.
According to the Aug. 12 notice, the recall affects one lot of Vitasia Asian Style Wok Spice Mix, sold at Lidl stores. The affected products were sold at Lidl stores between July 24 and Aug. 10, the notice states.
The affected products were sold in Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington, DC. According to the FDA, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the ongoing recall.
Here’s more on the recalled spice mix.
What product is affected?
Per Lidl’s recall notice, the affected product is its Vitasia Chinese Style brand Asian Style Wok Spice Mix, with the UPC No. 4335619355491, Lot# 155846 and a “best by date” of June 2028.
Customers in possession of the affected products “should immediately discard or return the recalled product to their nearest Lidl store for a full refund,” according to the grocery company. No receipt is required for return at the store.
Symptoms of salmonella poisoning
The effects of salmonella poisoning usually start six hours to six days after ingesting the bacteria. The most common symptoms are diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
While most healthy people can recover in four to seven days without treatment, some vulnerable groups, such as children under 5, adults 65 and older, and those with weakened immune systems, may experience more severe illness that requires medical treatment or hospitalization.
If you display any of these more serious symptoms, the CDC advises contacting your health care professional:
- Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
- Diarrhea for more than three days that is not improving
- Bloody diarrhea
- So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
- Signs of dehydration, such as not peeing much, dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up
USA TODAY’s Greta Cross and Mary Walrath-Holdridge contributed to this report.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.