A brand of tahini illegally imported into Israel is suspected of being contaminated with Salmonella, the Health Ministry warned on Tuesday.
The brand in question, Algimal Tahini (Hagamel), was imported into the country without proper permits, according to the Health Ministry.
It added that the product's manufacturing conditions could not be verified and noted that all of the company's products were illegally imported.
The specific product under suspicion is the company's White Tahini, in both its 1-kilogram and 500-gram varieties.
Evidence of Salmonella was found in two of these products during a Health Ministry investigation: a 1-kilogram container produced in March and a 500-gram container produced in April.
Health Ministry: Do not consume the products
The Health Ministry asked the Israeli public not to consume these products following the findings.
The Salmonella bacteria can cause fever, diarrhea, blood in the stool, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
In addition, the foodborne illness caused by the bacteria can become serious or even deadly for young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
For further information, please contact the Health Ministry at *5400.