WARNING: FDA Recalls Soma Beverage Metromint Flavor

According to a press release, the United States Food and Drug Administration and the Soma Beverage Company are recalling Soma Beverage Metromint flavor water in 16.9 fluid ounce bottles. All bottles of this beverage with the Best Before date 2008/12/21 are being recalled. All peppermint, spearmint, orangemint, and lemonmint water flavored 16.9 fluid once bottles are being recalled.

The product of this recall may be contaminated with the dangerous pathogen Bacillus cereus. These bottles were distributed nationally from the California Soma's manufacturing facility located in San Francisco, California. Also, the product was sold online through a variety of web sites.

If you have bought peppermint, spearmint, orangemint, and lemonmint Soma Beverage water flavored 16.9 fluid once bottles with a BEST BEFORE DATE OF 2008/12/21 and produced in the California facility (the lettering "KSA" in a rectangle located on the lower right-hand corner of the back panel on the label designates that the product was made at the California manufacturing plant) PLEASE DISCARD THEM IMMEDIATELY. THEY MAY BE DANGEROUS PATHOGEN Bacillus cereus.

The Soma Beverage of San Francisco, California has set up a phone line for consumers with questions about this recall. This number is 1-415-979-0781 Ext. 101.

What is the danger with Bacillus cereus?

Bacillus cereus is rod shaped beta hemolytic bacteria known to cause foodborne illness. It is the causing agent of the "Fried Rice Syndrome". Improperly cooked foods allow Bacillus cereus spores to survive. These spores can germinate (if the food is improperly stored) afterwards and cause food poisoning. The germination and growth of B. cereus produces an enterotoxin that leads to two types to illness characterized by diarrheal or emetic syndrome. Only 2 to 5% of all reported foodborne illness is caused by B. cereus. Usual symptoms include heavy nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Two forms of food poisoning may occur with this bacteria:

The diarrheal type.

It has an 8-16 hour incubation time with diarrhea and gastrointestinal pain as main symptoms. A broad range of foods may be contaminated with this type of B. cereus.

The emetic type

Associated with improperly refrigerated cooked rice only. Nausea and vomits appear within 1 to 5 hours of ingesting rice.

According to the press release symptoms of B. cereus food poisoning last less than 24 hours. Infants, children and pregnant women should be extra careful because of the possibility of dehydration.

So AGIN this is a WARNING about Soma Beverage Metromint flavor water in 16.9 fluid ounce bottles. If you have product PLEASE DISCARD OR RETURN TO POINT OF SALE

The company adises that the recall DOES NOT apply to any Metromint product produced at the East Coast facility or produced on or after 12/21/2006 ("Best Before" dates after 2008/12/20).

If you think you are sick (vomits, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea) please seek medical advice immediately.

Source:

Soma Beverage Recalls Metromint Flavor Water. FDA Press release. URL: http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/soma12_07.html

Metromint Recall Info.. URL: http://www.metromint.com/recall.html