MedNews

  • Drug Industry News
  • FDA News & Alerts
  • Health & Medical News
You are here: Home / FDA News & Alerts / Company Recalls Hazelnuts Linked to E. Coli

Company Recalls Hazelnuts Linked to E. Coli

March 5, 2011 By MedNews Leave a Comment

DeFranco & Sons of Los Angeles, Calif. is voluntarily recalling bulk and consumer-packaged in-shell hazelnuts and mixed-nut products containing in-shell hazelnuts. The recalled products are linked to seven cases of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin and may cause serious illness.

Consumers who have purchased bulk in-shell hazelnuts or mixed-nut products containing in-shell hazelnuts should check with the retailer to determine if they are subject to the recall, or throw the nuts away.

What is the Problem?
DeFranco & Sons is voluntarily recalling in-shell hazelnuts, also called filberts, and mixed nuts containing in-shell hazelnuts that have been linked to seven cases of E. coli O157:H7 in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. These nuts were distributed nationwide and to Canada Nov. 2 to Dec. 22, 2010. The in-shell hazelnuts may have been sold in 2-pound and 4-pound packages of mixed nuts, 1-pound packages containing only in-shell hazelnuts or in open bins of nuts in grocery stores.

What are the Symptoms of Illness/Injury?
Most people infected with E. coli O157:H7 develop diarrhea (often bloody) and abdominal cramps 2-8 days (3-4 days, on average) after swallowing the organism, but some illnesses last longer and are more severe. Infection is usually diagnosed by stool sample culture. While most people recover within a week, some develop a severe infection. A type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) can begin as the diarrhea is improving; this can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5 years old and the elderly. Signs and symptoms of HUS may include: fever, abdominal pain, pale skin tone, fatigue and irritability, small, unexplained bruises or bleeding from the nose and mouth, decreased urination and swelling of the face, hands, feet, or entire body. Persons who experience these symptoms and believe they are at risk for HUS should seek emergency medical care immediately.

Who is at Risk?
E. coli O157:H7 can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems.

What Do Consumers Need To Do?
Don’t eat recalled in-shell hazelnuts and mixed nuts containing in-shell hazelnuts. Consumers are advised to follow recall instructions and check with the retailer to see if the bulk nuts they purchased are among those being recalled, or throw the product away. Consumers should check the 1-pound, 2 pound and 4-pound products to see if the brand name and “Sell by Date” matches those listed below.

What Does the Product Look Like?
DeFranco & Sons received the in-shell hazelnuts from other suppliers and growers. In some cases, the in-shell hazelnuts were mixed and packaged with other nuts. The products were subsequently distributed nationwide and to Canada. The affected products listed below were distributed between Nov. 2, 2010 and Dec. 22, 2010.

Brand Size Product Sell by Date UPC
Sunripe 1 lb Large Hazelnuts 6/30/11 070533 000167
Sunripe 1 lb Mixed Nuts 6/30/11 070533 000143
Sunripe 2 lbs Mixed Nuts 6/30/11 070533 001003
None – (Sold as “Season’s Greetings”  Gift Pack) 4 lbs Mixed Nuts 6/30/11 070533 101024
Sunripe 50 lbs Imperial Mixed Nuts None None
Sunripe 50 lbs Supreme Mixed Nuts None None
George Packing 50 lbs Hazelnuts Recall applies only to the products distributed by DeFranco & Sons between 11/2/10 to 12/22/10.

The 50-pound bags of in-shell hazelnuts or mixed nuts with in-shell hazelnuts may have been repacked into smaller packages by other firms or sold from bulk containers to consumers.

Where is it Distributed?

The affected nuts may have been sold by retailers nationwide and in Canada.

What is Being Done about the Problem?

The FDA became of aware of the problem in late February and is actively working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health and agricultural agencies in those states where illnesses have occurred to investigate the source of the contamination. The investigation is still ongoing. The FDA is also working with state authorities to take appropriate action to address any product that may be remaining on the market. The FDA has also shared information with Canadian authorities about the problem.

Who Should be Contacted?

Consumers with questions about this recall should contact DeFranco & Sons at 1-800-992-3992 Monday through Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific time.

The FDA encourages consumers with questions about nut safety to call 1-888-SAFEFOOD.

Source: FDA

Filed Under: FDA News & Alerts Tagged With: DeFranco & Sons, Food Recalls, Hazelnuts, Sunripe



Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search



Tag Cloud

alcohol alzheimers asthma breast cancer cancer children cholesterol dementia depression Diabetes diet drug abuse exercise fda flu food genetics geriatrics h1n1 heart heart attack heart disease high blood pressure HIV/AIDS hormone therapy hypertension lungs menopause mrsa NIH obesity pain pediatrics pregnancy prostate cancer seniors sleep smoking statistics stroke sun swine flu teens USA women's health

Recent Comments

  • Mia Fritz on Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate
  • Shilpa on Why Too Much Iron Can Be Dangerous
  • Racheal on Teen Pregnancy May Be Reduced by Sex Education in Schools, Says Study
  • Don on Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid Tied to Higher Risk of Pneumonia
  • Meso on Brain Changes in Elderly Can Affect Mobility and Balance
  • About Us
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 Mednews · Log in