Hazelnut Recall Issued Due to Risk of Salmonella Poisoning

About 6,700 pounds of raw and dry roasted hazelnut kernels have been recalled in six states due to the risk of salmonella poisoning.

One lot of Evonuk Oregon Hazelnuts was found to be contaminated with salmonella during product sampling at an Eugene, Oregon facility, according to a recall notice issued on December 18. The nuts were sent to stores, restaurants and bakeries in California, Nevada, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Oregon and Washington. According to the manufacturer, there have been no illnesses reported in connection with the contaminated hazelnuts.

The hazelnut recall affects one lot of Evonuk Oregon Hazelnuts raw and dry roasted hazelnut kernels, totaling 6,712.5 pounds of nuts. The nuts were shipped to various retailers from November 2 through December 4 from Williamette Shelling, in Eugene, Oregon, where the nuts were shelled.

The recalled raw and dry roasted hazelnut kernels have lot code numbers 299091A and 296091A and were shipped in 25-pound corrugated boxes. The raw hazelnut kernels were also packed in 8-ounce, 2.5 pound and 5 pound clear plastic packages which have no lot code number. The dry roasted hazelnuts were packed in 4 ounce, 8 ounce, 2.5 pound and 5 pound clear plastic packages with have no lot code number.

At least one store has issued its own, separate recall over the hazelnuts. The Harry & David Country Village store in Medford, Oregon issued a recall notice on December 18, alerting customers that it sold the raw hazelnut kernels as Filbert (hazelnut) kernels from bulk bin #10077.

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that attacks the gastrointestinal tract, causing mild to severe food poisoning infections. For most healthy adults, symptoms of food poisoning from salmonella typically resolve after a few days or weeks. However, young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems have an increased risk of suffering severe food poisoning after ingesting the bacteria. If not properly treated, some cases of salmonella food poisoning can lead to hospitalization, dehydration or death.

The FDA and Evonuk Oregon Hazelnuts recommend that anyone who purchased the recalled hazelnuts should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Customers who have questions should contact Evonuk Oregon Hazelnuts at (541)998-1848.

UPDATE 12/22/2009: These recalls are part of a larger hazelnut recall issued by Williamnette Shelling of Newberg, OR, for 114,350 pounds of shelled hazelnuts (filberts).