An FDA report says that almost 7 percent of imported spices over a three-year period were contaminated with salmonella. According to the report, imported spices were twice as likely as other foods to be contaminated. Michael Taylor, FDA's deputy commissioner for foods, says:
The agency is "not recommending that consumers stay away from spices," though the chances of someone getting sick can be reduced by adding spices to food before it is cooked.
