Hazelnuts recall due to E. coli contamination

Before you grab another handful of hazelnuts, make sure your nuts aren’t part of the recent FDA hazelnut recall. Here’s the latest FDA update, hazelnut products affected by the recall, and what to do if you have hazelnuts potentially contaminated with E. coli.
Before you grab another handful of hazelnuts, make sure your nuts aren’t part of the recent FDA hazelnut recall. Here’s the latest FDA update, hazelnut products affected by the recall, and what to do if you have hazelnuts potentially contaminated with E. coli.

DeFranco & Sons recalling hazelnuts due to seven cases of E. coli

According a March 5 press release, DeFranco & Sons of Los Angeles, California is voluntarily recalling bulk and consumer-packaged in-shell hazelnuts (also called filberts) and mixed-nut products containing in-shell hazelnuts.The recalled products are linked to seven cases of E. coli in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. These nuts were distributed nationwide and to Canada November 2 to December 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.

Symptoms of E. coli

Most people infected with E. coli O157:H7 develop diarrhea (often bloody) and abdominal cramps 2 to 8 days (3 to 4 days, on average) after consuming organism, but some illnesses last longer and are more severe. E. coli can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems.

Dangers of E. coli

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.

Brands of nuts affected by hazelnut recall

Following are the brand names, bag size, type of product, Sell by Date, and UPC being recalled:

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• Sunripe 1 lb Large Hazelnuts 6/30/11  070533 000167

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• Sunripe 1 lb Mixed Nuts 6/30/11  070533 000143

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• Sunripe 2 lbs Mixed Nuts 6/30/11  070533 001003

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• Sold as “Season’s Greetings”  Gift Pack 4 lbs Mixed Nuts 6/30/11  070533 101024

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• Sunripe 50 lbs Imperial Mixed Nuts (has no Sell by Date or UPC)

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• Sunripe 50 lbs Supreme Mixed Nuts (has no Sell by Date or UPC)

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• George Packing 50 lbs Hazelnuts (Recall applies only to the products distributed by DeFranco & Sons between 11/2/10 to 12/22/10)

Warning: 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.    

What is being done about potentially affected hazelnuts?

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.

Consumer safety information regarding hazelnut recall

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.

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

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