Aurora Nut Recall Expanded Over Salmonella Risks

Additional batches of Aurora walnut and trail mix products are being removed from store shelves because they may be tainted by salmonella, posing a risk of serious and potentially fatal foodborne illness for consumers. 

The FDA announced an Aurora walnut recall expansion on March 27, after identifying dozens of additional products that may have come in contact with the bacteria through natural bacteria growth or cross contamination from the assembly lines. To date, no instances of salmonella food poisoning have been recorded in relation to the recalled walnut products.

Aurora Products Inc. initiated the original walnut recall on March 20, after random sample testing indicated the presence of salmonella infection, prompting the company to recall certain Natural Walnut and Trail Mixes containing walnuts.

Since the original recall, the FDA contracted an outside company to gather additional random samples for testing. The results indicated that dozens of additional Aurora products containing walnuts either have or may have the infection.

The recall expansion includes dozens of walnut products produced throughout various dates containing different “Best Used By” dates. According to Aurora, walnut products marketed under 18 different brand names have been impacted. For a full list of recalled products please visit the recall expansion notice (linked above).

The products were manufactured by Aurora Products Inc., of Orange, Connecticut where they were distributed nationwide through retail stores including Martins Food Markets, Stop&Shop, Giant Carlisle Food Stores, Giant of Maryland, and Brand Products stores.

The FDA is also warning consumers that the Aurora branded walnuts and mixes could have been relabeled and sold under the following store brands; America Choice, Belmont Market, Boiceville Market, Gaul’s Market, Green Hills Market, Harvest Co – Op Market, Hurley Ridge, Lees, Miles Market, Palmers Market, Union Market, Walter Stewart , Windfall Market and Wild Acorns.

For healthy individuals, salmonella symptoms typically include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain lasting between 4 and 7 days. The illness can become worse due to the delay in treatment because the infection can only be diagnosed by testing stool samples and is usually treated with antibiotics.

Among individuals with a weakened immune system, such as the elderly, children or pregnant women, the illness can pose a much greater risk and may lead to death or still birth. In rare circumstances, the infection can even spread throughout the blood stream and cause arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.

The FDA is encouraging customers to not eat the any of the listed products included in the recall and to destroy them or return the package to the point of purchase. Customers with further questions may contact Aurora Products Inc. at 800-898-1047.