Unilever issues Slim-Fast recall-update

We added some background information on Bacillus cereus food poisoning in this revised version

Understand Bacillus cereus food poisoning

What is Bacillus cereus?
Bacillus cereus is a type of bacteria that causes foodborne illness.

What is acute Bacillus cereus food poisoning?
The term refers to two types of illnesses, diarrhea caused by a large protein and vomiting caused by a smaller yet heat stable protein or peptide.

What symptoms are associated with Bacillus cereus food poisoning?
The symptoms of B. cereus is similar to those of Clostridium perfringens food poisoning including watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pain that occur 6 to 15 hours after consumption of tainted food. Nausea may come together with diarrhea, but vomiting or emesis rarely occurs. Symptoms disappear often times after 24 hours.

Vomiting and nausea if they are destined to occur are expected 0.5 to 6 hours after consumption of tainted food. In this type of poisoning, abdominal cramps and or diarrhea may also occur. symptoms may last 24 hours, but generally less than 24 hours. This type of poisoning results in symptoms that mimic those associated with Staphylococcus aureus foodborne intoxication.

What foods are linked to B. cereus food poisoning?
The foods that have been associated with the diarrheal type of food poisoning include meats, milk, vegetables, and fish. But other types of foods like starchy foods such as potato, pasta and cheese products and food mixtures such as sauces, puddings, soups, casseroles, pastries and salads have been linked to B cereus poisoning.

Who are at high risk for the foodborne illness?
All people are believed to be at the risk of B. cereus food poisoning.

The following is a recall we reported early

By David Liu and edited by Sheilah Downey

Unilever, based out of Englewood Cliffs, NJ on Dec 3, 2009 issued a voluntary recall for Slim-Fast Ready-to-Drink products in cans due to possible bacterial contamination.

The company, in cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration, is recalling all Slim-Fast ready to drink products in cans due to the possible contamination of Bacillus cereus.

B. cereus is an endemic, soil-dwelling, gram, positive, beta-hemolytic bacterium. Some strains of this bacterium are harmful to humans and can cause food illness with symptoms including diarrhea and possibly nausea and vomiting.

The products subject to the slimfast recall are sold nationwide. Unilever posted the product description on its website to help consumers identify which products are affected by the recall, cited as follows.

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.

The whole list of products subject to the slim fast recall are available at here

Food consumers need to know that no other Slim-Fast products are effected by the recall. Slim-Fast powdered shakes, meal bars, or snack bars are not affected by the recall.

Unilever initiated the slim fast recall after the company conducted quality testing on Slim-Fast ready to drink products in cans. The company is now looking into the production issue and will resume production and shipment of the product, according to a press release, when the issue has been addressed and corrected.

Food consumers who purchased Slim-Fast ready to drink products in cans are advised to discard the products immediately and contact the company for a full refund at 1.800.896.9479 Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 6:00 pm ET.

What is Slim-Fast?

Slim-Fast is the brand name for a series of weight loss products that give food consumers HC4 formula, a special blend of proteins, fiber and lipids.

Slim-Fast is designed to help control hunger for up to 4 hours and keep consumers satisfied and help them resist cravings, according to slim-fast.com.

Using SlimFast products helps reduce caloric intake through portion control. The products provide balanced nutrition including vitamins and minerals. So even though the intake of calories is cut, consumers can still get the essential nutrients they need. The Slim-Fast products can be used along with users' favorite foods, so consumers do not have to eat the same Slim-Fast over and over again to lose weight.

There are several series of products available for food consumers to choose from. An incomplete list of slim-fast products are cited from slim-fast.com and given below.

Optima: Creamy Milk Chocolate Shake, milk chocolate peanut meal bar, crispy peanut caramel snack bar, milk chocolate shake mix.

High Protein: extra creamy chocolate shake, peanut granola meal bar, whipped chocolate nougat, creamy chocolate shake mix.

Lower carb: Creamy chocolate shake, peanut butter crunch snack bar.

Easy to digest: Chocolate shake.

Original: Creamy milk chocolate shake, chocolate cookie dough meal bar.