Malazi Recalls Tahina Over Salmonella Contamination

RALEIGH, N.C. (May 19, 2026) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Nassar Investment Co., LLC is recalling its Malazi Tahina product due to potential Salmonella contamination. According to the FDA, the company distributed the affected tahina to retail stores in Michigan and North Carolina, where it may pose a serious health risk, particularly to vulnerable consumers. Regulators said no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recall so far.

Malazi recall: quick summary

According to the FDA, Nassar Investment Co., LLC recalled Malazi Tahina packaged in 1Kg plastic bottles with UPC 6 224011 088244 and expiration date 30/12/2026. The company initiated the recall after testing conducted by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture detected Salmonella contamination in the product. The FDA confirmed that the company distributed the affected products to retail stores in Michigan and North Carolina between March 1, 2025, and June 9, 2025. Regulators urge consumers to discard the product immediately and contact the company with any questions.

What happened?

The FDA said Nassar Investment Co., LLC, initiated the recall after the North Carolina Department of Agriculture notified the company on April 29, 2026, that product testing detected Salmonella contamination. The company announced the recall on May 18, 2026, in coordination with the FDA.

Nassar Investment Co., LLC sold the affected Malazi Tahina in 1Kg plastic bottles with UPC 6 224011 088244 and expiration date 30/12/2026. According to regulators, the company distributed the product to retail stores in Michigan and North Carolina between March 1, 2025, and June 9, 2025.

In its recall alert, the FDA warned that “Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.” The agency also stated that healthy individuals may experience “high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.”

Affected products

Brand	Product	Size	UPC	Best by date	Issue	Affected states
Malazi	Tahina	1Kg	6 224011 088244	EXP: 30/12/2026	Salmonella contamination	Michigan, North Carolina

What caused the issue?

Laboratory testing detected Salmonella contamination in the tahina product, prompting the recall, according to the FDA notice. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness and, in some cases, life-threatening complications.

The agency confirmed that children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems face the highest risk of severe illness. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and dehydration. In rare cases, Salmonella infections can enter the bloodstream and cause more serious conditions that require hospitalization.

Company officials said they have not received any reports of illnesses linked to the recalled product to date.

Questions you might have

Here’s what you should do

• Do not consume the recalled tahina product
• Dispose of the product safely or return it to the place of purchase if permitted
• Check the UPC and expiration date on the bottle label carefully
• Look for UPC 6 224011 088244 and EXP: 30/12/2026
• Contact Mr. Akram Nassar at (919) 949-3534 with refund or recall questions

Behind the brand

Nassar Investment Co., LLC, distributes Middle Eastern food products under the Malazi brand, including tahina and other pantry staples. Consumers commonly use tahina, also spelled tahini, in dips, sauces, and traditional Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes.

In the recall notice, the company said it is conducting the recall “with the knowledge of the Food and Drug Administration.” The company also urged consumers to immediately discard affected products. Source86 contacted Nassar Investment Co., LLC, for additional details about how the contamination occurred, but the company has not yet responded.

Other relevant recalls

This recall follows a broader pattern of Salmonella-related food recalls impacting nut, seed, and spread categories in recent years. Previous recalls involving sesame-based products and spreads have highlighted the importance of environmental monitoring and supplier verification programs throughout food manufacturing operations. Similar recalls covered by Source86 include Blackstone Recalls Parmesan Ranch Seasoning Over Possible Salmonella Health Risk, Jonco Industries Recalls Certain White Cheddar Seasoning Products Over Possible Salmonella Contamination, Wildlife Seasoning Recalls Popping Topping – Sour Cream & Onion Seasoning Over Potential Salmonella Risk, Pork King Good Recalls Sour Cream & Onion Pork Rinds and Seasoning Over Potential Salmonella Risk, and Utz Recalls Certain Zapp’s and Dirty Potato Chips Over Potential Salmonella Contamination. These incidents underscore the ongoing challenges food manufacturers face in preventing bacterial contamination across seasoning, snack, and packaged food categories.

Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, said recalls like this reinforce the importance of supplier accountability across the food industry:

“Food safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s about trust. Every recall reminds us how vital it is to maintain transparency, rigorous checks, and supplier accountability.”

Broader pattern

This recall marks the latest in a series of Salmonella-related food recalls affecting pantry staples and ready-to-eat grocery products across the United States. Food safety experts warn that sesame-based products like tahina can pose a higher risk because consumers often eat them without additional cooking, which removes an extra opportunity to kill harmful bacteria.

Regulators and manufacturers now place greater emphasis on preventive controls, environmental testing, and traceability systems to detect contamination earlier, contain affected products faster, and improve recall response efforts.

Ensuring safe eats

The Malazi Tahina recall underscores the importance of strict food safety oversight throughout ingredient sourcing, production, and distribution. Even a single contaminated batch can create significant public health concerns and erode consumer trust in staple grocery products.

Consumers who purchased the affected tahina should stop using it immediately and either discard it safely or contact the company for further guidance. Manufacturers, meanwhile, are being reminded of the need for comprehensive testing, sanitation controls, and supplier verification to prevent similar incidents.

At Source86, we help food brands manage ingredient sourcing, FSQA oversight, private-label production, and supply chain transparency to support faster, safer responses during recalls and reduce risks before products ever reach store shelves. Contact us.