Hazelnut Recall Issued Due to Risk of E. Coli O157:H7

An E. coli food poisoning outbreak in three states has led to a recall of Sunripe hazelnuts and mixed nuts. 

The hazelnut recall was announced on March 5 by the FDA and DeFranco & Sons of Los Angeles, CA, following reports of illnesses that have been linked to E. coli O157:H7 infections. There have been seven reported illnesses in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin in total. Three of the victims were hospitalized.

State and federal investigators have linked the outbreak to hazelnuts, also known as filberts, distributed by DeFranco & Sons. None of the recalled hazelnuts themselves have tested positive for E. coli contamination so far, but a collaborative investigation is still underway.

The recall affects the following DeFranco & Sons hazelnut products:

• Sunripe 1 lb. Large Hazelnuts, with a sell by date of 6/30/11 and UPC 070533 000167
• Sunripe 1 lb. Mixed Nuts, with a sell by date of 6/30/11 and UPC 070533 000143
• Sunripe 2 lbs. Mixed Nuts, with a sell by date of 6/30/11 and UPC 070533 001003
• “Season’s Greetings” Gift Pack, Mixed Nuts, with a sell by date of 6/30/11 and UPC 070533 101024
• Sunripe 50 lbs. Imperial Mixed Nuts
• Sunripe 50 lbs. Supreme Mixed Nuts
• George Packing 50 lbs Hazelnuts, distributed between 11/2/10 to 12/22/10.

The nuts were distributed nationwide and in Canada. The 50 lbs bags of mixed nuts and hazelnuts may have been sold in bulk containers to consumers.

E. coli O157:H7 is one of the more common causes of food poisoning in the United States. When left untreated, it can lead to dehydration and potentially life-threatening illness. While most healthy adults recover from food poisoning caused by E. coli within a few weeks, young children and the elderly could be at risk for more severe illness. If the toxin enters the blood stream, E. coli could also lead to Hemolytic-Urenia Syndrome (HUS), a form of kidney failure.

Consumers should avoid eating any of the recalled filberts, and restaurants and food services should not serve them. Anyone who has any of the recalled nuts should throw them away in a closed plastic bag in a sealed trash can to prevent people and animals from eating them. Consumers with questions can contact DeFranco & Sons at 1-800-992-3992.