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Whole Foods Recalls Hazelnuts Due to Possible Salmonella

Several batches of "filberts" pulled

December 20, 2009
Whole Foods Market is recalling several batches of organic raw hazelnuts, also known as "filberts," that were sold in bulk to stores in several states, including California, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. The popular upscale supermarket chain, in a recorded announcement, said the hazelnuts were recalled due to possible contamination with Salmonella.

The following batches have been recalled:

Non-organic dry roasted hazelnuts (filberts) sold in bulk through its stores in California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

Non-organic raw hazelnuts (filberts) sold in bulk through its stores in Oregon and Washington.

The possible contamination was discovered during a routine sweep of one of the company's production facilities, and no illnesses have been reported, the company said.

It is unknown if the recall is related to the separate recall of 32,950 pounds of hazelnuts sold by Kunze Farms of Dayton, Oregon, reported on December 17 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). During another routine inspection of the plant which processed the nuts, the FDA found evidence of contamination.

Whole Foods spokespersons were not immediately available for comment.

Other recalls

In addition to the Kunze and Whole Foods recalls, the following companies have recalled their hazelnuts or hazelnut products due to possible Salmonella contamination:

• Willamette Filbert Growers of Newberg, OR is recalling 29,861 lbs of its Shelled Hazelnuts and Shelled Organic Hazelnut products. Salmonella was found on one production lot at the facility where Willamette Filbert Grower's hazelnuts were shelled. The company is recalling all hazelnuts processed from October 12, 2009, through November 25th, 2009. Shelled Hazelnuts and Shelled Organic Hazelnuts were distributed in Oregon and California through wholesale distributors and direct delivery. All products subject to recall were packed in 25 lbs. corrugated boxes bearing Willamette Filbert Growers or Meridian Organic Hazelnuts labeled with lot code numbers 289091A and 311091A.

• Evonuk Oregon Hazelnuts of Eugene, OR is recalling 6,712.5 lbs. of raw and dry roasted hazelnut kernels due to Salmonella contamination. Salmonella was found on one production lot at Willamette Shelling, of Newberg, OR, the facility where Evonuk Oregon Hazelnut's hazelnuts kernels were shelled. The company recalled all raw and dry roasted hazelnut kernels delivered or shipped by Evonuk Oregon Hazelnuts from November 2, 2009 through December 4, 2009. Products subject to the recall include:

- Raw hazelnut kernels packed in 25 pound corrugated boxes with lot code numbers 299091A and 296091A.

- Dry roasted hazelnut kernels packed in 25 pound corrugated boxes with lot code numbers 299091A and 296091A.

- 8 ounce, 2.5 pound, and 5 pound packages of raw hazelnut kernels in clear plastic packages, bearing no lot code. Shipped in corrugated boxes with lot code numbers 299091A and 296091A.

- 4 ounce, 8 ounce, 2.5 pound, and 5 pound packages of dry roasted, salt free, hazelnut kernels in clear plastic packages, bearing no lot code. Shipped in corrugated boxes with lot code numbers 299091A and 296091A.

No illnesses have been reported in either recall. Salmonella is a bacterial organism that can cause serious and often fatal infections in young people, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

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