ONLINE TEMPEH STARTER YEAST WITH SALMONELLA

Who would have thought that an online supplier of tempeh yeast, based in Rockville, Maryland, USA, could be sending Salmonella bacteria to the far ends of the globe? These days it is possible. Vegetarians beware!

Maryland-based Indonesianfoodmart.com is recalling all packages of "Tempeh Starter Yeast" and "Super Starter Yeast" sold through direct mail orders in 30 gm, 50 gm, 250 gm, and 1000 gm sizes. Reportedly, the tempeh starter was imported from Indonesia. The products were not only sold throughout the U.S. but distributed to countries such as Australia, Canada, Slovenia, New Zealand, Brunei, Poland and Croatia. (The FDA news release also listed " Darussalam" but there is no such country - the full name of Brunei - a country where I spent an interesting few days on my honeymoon years ago, is " Negara Brunei Darussalam". Darussalam meaning "Abode of Peace" in Arabic).

It is suspected that these products have already caused close to 100 illnesses in the U.S. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration as well as food safety authorities in Australia, New Zealand and Canada have warned people not to use them. Don't. Salmonella infections are no joke, especially for the very young, elderly people, and anyone with a weakened immune system.

To your good health,
TSF