Sauer: Recall won’t affect Richmond plant

RECALL LIST: The C.F. Sauer Company has issued a voluntary recall of select dry mixes

Richmond-based C.F. Sauer Co.'s recall of some of its sauce mixes will not affect production or employment at its local plant, which makes the products, the company said.

C.F. Sauer announced Tuesday that it was voluntarily recalling several of its sauce mixes sold in Virginia and 12 other states because they contain instant non-fat dry milk from a Minnesota-based supplier whose equipment was found to be contaminated with salmonella.

No illnesses have been reported, but the supplier, Plainview Milk Products Cooperative, announced last week that it was recalling its instant non-fat dry milk and other ingredients as a precaution, after a U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigation that found the salmonella.

C.F. Sauer makes all its dry mixes at its Richmond plant, the company said.

"This recall affects a relatively small percentage of Sauer's products -- two Gold Medal products and one product from a private-label brand," Jerry Zajaczek, the company's executive vice president for quality control and research and development, said in a statement. "It is very easy for us to replace what is on the shelf with new product that is unaffected."

Salmonella can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Its effects can be more severe for children and the elderly.

Other companies also have pulled products with ingredients supplied by Plainview. Dunkin' Donuts announced last week that it was temporarily stopping sales of hot chocolate and Dunkaccino beverages as a precaution.

For C.F. Sauer, the cost of the recall "will depend on the size of the recall [and] total distribution of products being returned." The company declined to provide the number of packages being recalled.

C.F. Sauer, founded in 1887 in Richmond, also makes extracts, flavors and food colors, and it sells spices and herbs.

Contact John Reid Blackwell at (804) 775-8123 or .