In-shell hazelnuts recalled due to possible E. coli contamination

Canadian Food Inspection Agency
News Release

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OTTAWA - The public warning issued on March 4, 2011 has been expanded to include an additional product and to update product information.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the in-shell hazelnuts (filberts) and mixed nuts containing hazelnuts described below because these products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. These in-shell hazelnuts (filberts) and mixed nuts containing hazelnuts have been recalled in the USA and Canada by DeFranco & Sons, USA due to E. coli O157:H7 contamination.

This is an ongoing food safety investigation. The CFIA is working with the United States Food and Drug Administration to identify all affected products imported into Canada from the USA. The CFIA is also working with Canadian importers to trace-back and recall all affected products that may have been distributed in Canada. As more products are identified, the CFIA will continue to update its list of recalled products.

The following products are affected by this alert:

Sunripe Large Hazelnuts 1 lb (454 g) 070533 000167 6/30/11

Sunripe Mixed Nuts (with hazelnuts) 1 lb (454 g) 070533 000143 6/30/11

Sunripe Mixed Nuts (with hazelnuts) 2 lb (908 g) 070533 001003 6/30/11

Sunripe Imperial Mixed Nuts (with hazelnuts) Sold in bulk NA Purchased after Nov 16, 2010

Sunripe Supreme Mixed Nuts (with hazelnuts) Sold in bulk NA Purchased after Nov 16, 2010

George Packing * Hazelnuts Sold in bulk NA Purchased after Nov 16, 2010

*Only product distributed by DeFranco and Sons between 11/2/10 to 12/22/10 (November 2, 2010 to December 22, 2010).

The bulk products identified in the table above may have been repackaged into smaller sized units with no label information. If you have purchased bulk or unlabelled, in-shell hazelnuts or in-shell mixed nuts containing hazelnuts after November 16, 2010, and are unsure if you have the recalled product, check with your place of purchase to determine if you have the affected product.

These products have been distributed in Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario and may have been distributed nationally.

There have been a number of illnesses in the USA associated with the consumption of these products. In Canada, two cases of E. coli illness have genetic fingerprints that match the USA illnesses, but these two cases have not to date been linked to the recalled products. The Public Health Agency of Canada is investigating these cases.

Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea. Some people may have seizures or strokes and some may need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis. Others may live with permanent kidney damage. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

The CFIA is working with Canadian importers, distributors, and retailers to recall all affected products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recalls.

For more information, consumers and industry can call CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

For information on E. coli O157:H7, visit the Food Facts web page at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/cause/ecolie.shtml

For information on all food recalls, visit the CFIA’s Food Recall Report at: http://active.inspection.gc.ca/eng/corp/recarapp_dbe.asp.

To find out more about receiving recalls by e-mail, and other food safety facts, visit: www.foodsafety.gc.ca. Food and consumer product recalls are also available at http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca.

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March 4, 2011 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the in-shell hazelnuts (filberts) and mixed nuts containing hazelnuts described below because these products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. These in-shell hazelnuts (filberts) and mixed nuts containing hazelnuts have been recalled in the USA and Canada by DeFranco & Sons, USA due to E. coli O157:H7 contamination.

This is an ongoing food safety investigation. The CFIA is working with the United States Food and Drug Administration to identify all affected products imported into Canada from the USA. The CFIA is also working with Canadian importers to trace-back and recall all affected products that may have been distributed in Canada. As more products are identified, the CFIA will continue to update its list of recalled products.

The following products are affected by this alert:

Sunripe Hazelnuts 1 lb (454 g) 6/30/11

Sunripe Large Hazelnuts 1 lb (454 g) 6/30/11

Sunripe Mixed Nuts (with hazelnuts) 1 lb (454 g) 6/30/11

Sunripe Imperial Mixed Nuts (with hazelnuts) Sold in bulk Purchased after Nov 16, 2010

Sunripe Supreme Mixed Nuts (with hazelnuts) Sold in bulk Purchased after Nov 16, 2010

Sunripe Hazelnuts Sold in bulk Purchased after Nov 16, 2010

The bulk products identified in the table above may have been repackaged into smaller sized units with no label information. If you have purchased bulk or unlabelled, in-shell hazelnuts or in-shell mixed nuts containing hazelnuts after November 16, 2010, and are unsure if you have the recalled product, check with your place of purchase to determine if you have the affected product.

These products have been distributed in Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario and may have been distributed nationally.

There have been a number of illnesses in the USA associated with the consumption of these products. In Canada, two cases of E. coli illness have genetic fingerprints that match the USA illnesses, but these two cases have not to date been linked to the recalled products. The Public Health Agency of Canada is investigating these cases.

Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea. Some people may have seizures or strokes and some may need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis. Others may live with permanent kidney damage. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

The CFIA is working with Canadian importers, distributors, and retailers to recall all affected products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recalls.

For more information, consumers and industry can call CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

For information on E. coli O157:H7, visit the Food Facts web page at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/cause/ecolie.shtml

For information on all food recalls, visit the CFIA’s Food Recall Report at: http://active.inspection.gc.ca/eng/corp/recarapp_dbe.asp.

To find out more about receiving recalls by e-mail, and other food safety facts, visit: www.foodsafety.gc.ca. Food and consumer product recalls are also available at http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca.

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