The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has recalled a store-bought brand of a traditional Middle Eastern treat because of concerns about salmonella contamination.
The agency says tubs of Al-Rabih brand Halva / Halawa with pistachios are being removed from store shelves by the industry.
Halva is a fudge-like dessert made with tahini or sesame seed paste, sugar, spices, and nuts.
The tubs were sold in several provinces, including Ontario.
The recall affects the 454g tub with a best before date of December 1, 2022, and the 907g package, which expires on June 22, 2025. The lot numbers are 7 70338 10057 3 and 7 70338 10056 6.
The agency recommended either throwing the product in the garbage or returning it to the store for a refund.
"Food contaminated with salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick," said a release from CFIA. "Young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections."
The warning continues to say, "Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea."
Long-term complications include severe arthritis.
So far, there have been no reports of illness, but if you ate the product and think you may be sick because of it, call your doctor.
