May 28, 2004

As you may have already heard, this week we have issued a voluntary recall on our ½ cup jars of Hungarian Half-Sharp Paprika. After a routine Florida Department of Agriculture inspection it was discovered that some 2.5 oz jars of the Hungarian Half-Sharp Paprika registered positive for Salmonella. No illnesses have been reported to date and this recall affects only the Half-Sharp Paprika purchased since August of 2003. To be extra cautious we have voluntarily recalled all package sizes of the Hungarian Half-Sharp Paprika including 1.25 oz jars, 2.5 oz jars, 4-ounce bags, 8-ounce bags and 1 pound bags. The packages in question are marked with the codes 47656, 47614, 47685, 47643, and 47630 just below the bar code. This recall does not affect any of our other spices or seasonings.

Our mail-order and internet customers are being notified by mail and press releases have been issued in an effort to get the word out. If you have purchased our Hungarian Half-Sharp Paprika between August 2003 and May 2004, please dispose of your current package and call us at 1-800-741-7787 so we can arrange for replacement, refund, or credit to your account as well as answer any questions you may have.

We know this notice may seem less personal than our normal contact with you but we wanted to get the word out right away.

Update--June 14, 2004

All sizes of Hungarian Sweet Paprika have been added to this recall. Subsequent testing of different lots of Hungarian Sweet Paprika have turned up positive for salmonella while other tests have come back negative. The paprika in question was sent via mail order between January 2, 2004 and June 9, 2004 and was available in our stores during that time. We are working with the FDA and are in contact with the Hungarian government. Again, please contact us at 1-800-741-7787 for refund or replacement or return your package to your local Penzeys Spices retail store.