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Few consumers know what hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) is, but they consume it on a regular basis. Found in many processed foods, HVP is a flavor enhancer that is salty and savory.
The FDA recently announced a recall of certain lots of HVP produced by Basic Food Flavors, Inc., a company based in Las Vegas, Nev. The HVP was found to contain Salmonella. Although the contaminated additive has been in the food supply since September, so far no associated illnesses have been reported.
The HVP was in powder and paste form and was used in dips, soup mix, dressing and dressing mix and other processed foods. Since the announcement of the recall, additional foods containing the ingredient are expected to be recalled; a CNN story said that the number of recalled products could be in the thousands by the time all is said and done. Because the products have a long shelf life and were produced over several months, it is likely that contaminated foods are still in many homes.
"We expect it to get larger over the next several days to several weeks," said Jeff Farrar, the FDA's associate commissioner of food safety, referring to the list of recalled foods. Those foods that are eaten without being cooked, such as dips, present the greatest risk for illness from Salmonella contamination.
Among the foods recalled to date:
* Dip: Brands include: Johnny's Fine Foods, T. Marzetti, Oak Lake Farms, Great Value, Follow Your Heart
* Packaged meals: Follow Your Heart
* Soup mix/snacks: Castella, Hawaiian, Homemade Gourmet
* Dressing/dressing mix: Follow Your Heart, Trader Joe's
A bacon base made by Nestle Professional North America is also being recalled because it contains the affected HVP.
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