Nevada company cited in national food recall closes

The local business at the center of a nationwide food recall has closed, and a Wednesday report from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the company knew of salmonella contamination in its plant for a month before it stopped shipping the tainted product.

A spokeswoman with the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services said Basic Food Flavors of North Las Vegas voluntarily closed, but she added that the plant could re-open subject to meeting the requirements of federal and local public-health officials.

Separately, FDA inspectors said Wednesday that Basic Food Flavors knew of salmonella contamination on its equipment after it received the results of a private inspection on Jan. 21. Despite two additional inspections that showed contamination, the company continued to distribute the ingredient, a flavor enhancer called hydrolyzed vegetable protein, until Feb. 15, and continued to manufacture it until Feb. 20.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children and others with weakened immune systems.

The FDA began an investigation in response to a report from one of Basic Food Flavors' customers about salmonella contamination in the company's flavor enhancer. During several visits to the plant beginning Feb. 12, agency inspectors found "light brown residue" and "dark brown liquid" in and around the paste mixers and inside pipes used to manufacture the ingredient, among other violations.

The agency said the company began notifying customers of the recall on Feb. 26 after discussions with the government. It was publicly announced by the FDA a week later.

Basic Food Flavors did not return calls seeking comment.

The Food and Drug Administration didn't respond to an e-mail requesting information on how often the agency inspected Basic Foods' plant before the salmonella event, or whether it would hold hearings, levy fines or take further regulatory action in the case.

Martha Framsted, a spokeswoman with the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, said local authorities inspect area food processors at least once a year, and conduct follow-up inspections to make sure violations have been corrected or when they receive specific complaints.

Operating in an unsafe manner could result in the suspension or revocation of a company's operating permit.

But Basic Food Flavors' woes might not be limited to regulatory action.

Gerald Gillock, an attorney with the Las Vegas law firm of Gerald Gillock & Associates, said companies that know about defects in a product yet continue to sell that product could face legal liabilities. Federal authorities say no illnesses have been associated with the recall, but clients who did business with Basic Foods could have claims against the company for financial losses and damage to reputation resulting from the contamination, Gillock said.

Gillock added that cases of salmonella-related illness could still emerge as the recall expands and consumers realize they ate contaminated foods.

Hydrolyzed vegetable protein, which is similar to monosodium glutamate, or MSG, is contained in thousands of processed foods. The agency has listed more than 100 recalled products dating back to September, including dips manufactured by T. Marzetti and McCormick and honey mustard pretzel bites manufactured by the National Pretzel Co. Two flavors of Pringles chips, Cheeseburger and Taco Night, have also been recalled.

The Department of Agriculture also announced a recall of 1.7 million pounds of ready-to-eat beef taquito and chicken quesadilla products that contain the ingredient.

FDA officials said they believe the risk to consumers is low, since many products that contain the ingredient are not dangerous because cooking them eliminates the risk of salmonella.

Contact reporter Jennifer Robison at jrobison@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4512. The Associated Press contributed to this report.