Summary
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The recalled product is a 1lb packaged Shelled Walnuts, produced and distributed by Stutz Packing Company of California after routine sampling detected listeria in walnuts.
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The FDA said it was classifying the recall as Class I, meaning there is a high risk of serious adverse health consequences or death.
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Other walnut products from Stutz Packing Company are not affected and there have been no reports of illness.
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A type of food poisoning, Listeria infections can cause severe illness and even death among those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include high temperature/fever, headache nausea and vomiting…cramps diarrhea or constipation
California-based Stutz Packing Company has recalled 1lb bags of Shelled Walnuts for possible listeria contamination (remember the deadly bacteria that forced Huxtable to discard hundreds of pounds of deli meat in Texas resulting in three fatalities2) and more on my favorite memory fools after these important safety tips.
The recall has been classified as Class I, which means that there is a reasonable probability the food could cause serious health consequences or death.
Routine testing discovered the presence of listeria in walnuts, prompting the company to issue a recall. The products were shipped from warehouses to distribution centers in Texas and Arizona, then distributed nationwide via food banks, schools, shelters (including the Illinois Department of Corrections prison system)
The Stutz Packing Company has temporarily stopped production of the products and distribution is being suspended while the FDA investigates. No illnesses have been reported and no other walnut products from the company are affected.
This comes days after Boar’s Head Provisions Co. recalled more than 7 million pounds of meat and poultry products because they might be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes, which has been blamed for three deaths across the country.
Listeriosis, being potentially fatal is also caused due to Listeria monocytogenes. Symptoms may include nausea, cramps, and a mixture of diarrhea or constipation that can develop hours to three days after eating food tainted with the organism.
Listeria infections can be particularly dangerous for people with weakened immune systems, the elderly and pregnant women. Infections with listeria are estimated to sicken about 1,600 people a year in the U.S., killing around 260 of them.
Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Emergency Medicine, Public Health & Prevention