Spice Recall Issued for Nearly Every State as FDA Sets Risk Level

Curio Spice Co., a boutique spice company known for its ethically sourced and sustainably produced products, has announced a nationwide recall of its Korerima "Grains of Paradise" spice due to possible mold contamination.

The firm-initiated recall affects nearly all U.S. states and has been classified as Class II by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It was initiated on October 31 and classified on November 27.

According to the FDA, a Class II recall is, "a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote."

Newsweek contacted Curio Spice Co. via email on Thursday for comment outside of regular working hours.

A general picture shows various reusable glass jars filled with spices and legumes. A spice product has been recalled due to possible contamination with mold and classified as a Class II recall by the FDA. Emanuele Cremaschi/Getty Images

The affected product, sold in glass jars labeled "Ethiopian Korerima," is a spice commonly used, according to the company website, in coffee, on citrus fruit, or in stews, is similar to green cardamom and sourced directly from a women's farming coop in Bonga, Ethiopia.

Recalled batches have specific lot numbers and expiration dates, which can be found below and on the FDA's website.

The product has been distributed in every state, except for Arkansas, Kansas, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Consumers are urged to check their spice collections for the recalled product. If mold-contaminated spices are consumed, they could pose a health risk, particularly to individuals with weakened immune systems, asthma or mold allergies.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), inhaling mold spores causes allergic reactions in some people. They can get into your nose and cause rhinitis (hay fever) symptoms. They also can reach the lungs and trigger asthma.

AAFA states that symptoms can include:

• Runny nose (also known as rhinorrhea—usually a clear, thin nasal discharge)
• Stuffy nose (due to blockage or nasal congestion)
• Postnasal drip (mucus runs from the back of your nose down your throat)
• Sneezing
• Itchy nose, eyes, ears, and mouth
• Red and watery eyes
• Swelling around the eyes

"Mold allergy can cause an allergic reaction right away. But in some cases, it may cause delayed symptoms," AAFA states. "If your symptoms often get worse in a damp, humid, or moldy room like a basement, this may mean you have a mold allergy.

"Rarely, some people can have a more serious illness called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. In this condition, there is both an allergic and an inflammatory (swelling) response in the lungs to the mold or fungus. Symptoms may include severe wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, much like asthma," said the AAFA.

Customers should immediately stop using the product and either discard it or return it to the point of purchase for a full refund.

Anyone with questions about the recall can contact Curio Spice Co.'s customer support at support@curiospice.com or 617-945-1888.

Full details of the recalled product are below: