A holiday entertainment guide that featured four recipes for homemade flavored oils has been recalled by the publisher because they could pose a potential health hazard. This is the second time this year that a publication has been recalled because of a potential health hazard. Earlier, a special publication on Children published by Newsweek was recalled for misinformation in the nutrition section. The FDA also warns consumers against extended storage of these oils.
Health authorities emphasize that incidents of botulism are extremely rare.
However, the publisher is taking the precaution of recalling the special Christmas entertainment and decorating guide. The full-sized holiday guide is available only on newsstands at major retail outlets. T he recipes for Herb, Thai, Spiced Orange and Indian Spiced Oils are the recipes that could potentially become contaminated with botulism. Because the oil contains ingredients that are low in acid, without proper processing the botulism spores could multiple. Botulism is an invisible, odorless and tasteless microorganism that has the potential to be lethal.