Nut Recall Issued Over Salmonella Poisoning Risk

Three separate companies are recalling various nut products, after discovering the presence of Salmonella bacteria. 

The FDA posted information about nut recalls issued by three different companies, which were issued after suppliers indicated that random samples identified the presence of Salmonella bacteria. To date, the FDA has not recorded any cases of salmonella food poisoning related to the recalled products.

On March 20, the FDA announced Nature’s Eats Natural Macadamia Nuts recall for Lot code #31435001. The recalled nuts were manufactured by Texas Star Nut and Food Co. Inc. of Boerne, Texas and were distributed exclusively to HEB stores in Texas between December 30, 2014 and March 20, 2015. The products were packaged in 6 ounce cello bags and have a “Best Before” date of December 23, 2015.

Customers with the recalled products are encouraged to stop eating them immediately and return them to HEB for a full refund. Customer with further question can contact Texas Star Nut and Food Co. Inc. at 1-844-571-5555.

There was also an Aurora brand nut recall on March 20, affecting various package sizes of Walnuts, Salted and Non-Salted Mixed nuts, Cranberry Health Mix, Raisin Nut Party Mix, Omega Trail Mix, Forest Bounty Grail Mix, and Assorted Nut Trays. 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 nut products were also distributed to various retailers in Canada and Bermuda. For a full list of recalled products, packaging sizes, date ranges, and UPC codes please visit the recall announcement linked above.

According to the FDA, Aurora Products has asked all retailers to remove the recalled nuts from store shelves. Customers should immediately stop consumption of recalled products and either destroy them or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Customers may contact the manufacturer at 800-898-1048 for further questions.

On March 21, the FDA then announced a Nutiva brand O’Coconut products recall. The O’Coconut products being recalled include certain Classic flavors with Product# BAR312 and BAR302 and certain Hemp & Chia flavors with Product# BAR202. All recalled products have expiration dates ranging between the second and third week of February, 2015.

The products were manufactured by Nutiva, and Organic Superfoods Company, of Richmond, California. Customers are encouraged to immediately stop consuming the products and contact 800-993-4367 for replacement products or refunds.

Salmonella can cause serious infections, with symptoms like fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain typically lasting for a few days in healthy individuals.

In more severe cases, salmonella poisoning may spread to the blood stream and cause arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Salmonella bacterium has over 2,300 serotypes that account for roughly 1.4 million food borne illnesses per year and roughly 400 fatalities annually in the United States alone.