Food Company Recalls Olives and Soup Over Botulism Fears

Certain types of olives and soup sold across the US were being recalled by distributor United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) amid fears that they could be tainted with a potentially deadly bacterium.

The firm said that FoodMatch Inc. Divina Olives stuffed with feta cheese, olives stuffed with blue cheese and Tabatchnick Fine Foods Yankee Bean Soup may have been contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, which can cause botulism—a serious condition that can be life-threatening.

UNFI, which has its headquarters in Providence, R.I., distributes natural, organic and specialty foods.

It said that Wednesday that no illnesses were reported, but the products were being recalled due to issues with temperature control.

"UNFI inadvertently subjected the recall items to temperature ranges above those directed by the manufacturer," the recall notice said.

The Divina olives, which were sold in four-ounce cups with a "best by" date of Jan. 11, 2012, were distributed at Safeway stores in South Dakota, Colorado and Wyoming.

The olives stuffed with blue cheese were sold at Carrs, Safeway, Pavilion and Vons stores in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada, South Dakota, Colorado and Wyoming.

The 15-ounce soup cups were sold in California.