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Cans of a popular, ready-to-drink weight loss product are being recalled in the United States after tests showed the liquid meals could be tainted with bacteria, the Food and Drug Administration says.
Unilever United States announced on Friday that it was recalling "all Slim-Fast ready-to-drink products in cans, due to the possibility of contamination with Bacillus cereus, a micro-organism which may cause diarrhoea and possibly nausea and/or vomiting".
The recall involves all Slim-Fast ready-to-drink products in cans regardless of flavour, sell-by date, or lot number, but not other Slim-Fast products such as meal bars or powder, Unilever said.
No one was available at Unilever to say how many cans of Slim-Fast were involved in the recall, but the company said in a statement that the recall was nationwide and concerned not only wholesale and retail outlets but also consumers who may have cans of the drink at home.
Slim-Fast has issued a recall of all ready-to-drink shakes in cans, due to a possible micro-organism contamination that may cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Unilever United States, Inc., the Englewood Cliffs-based company that produces the diet food, issued the recall of the nationally-sold product on Thursday.
Unilever said quality testing found the product, which can be consumed directly from the can, may have been tainted with the micro-organism Bacillus cereus. The company said contamination does not pose serious health risks, but may cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
The recall includes all Slim-Fast ready-to-drink products in cans, regardless of flavor, the company said. No other Slim-Fast products are affected by the recall, they said.
The company is currently investigating the cause of the possible contamination and has ceased production until the issue is corrected.
Unilver is asking that any consumers who have brought the products to throw them away and call them at (800) 896-9479 for a full refund.
