New York-based supermarket chain Wegman’s announced a product recall the last week of October for Turkish pine nuts that were sold in several of its stores. The pine nuts are being recalled because of a possibility of Salmonella contamination.
The Turkish pine nuts affected by the recall are only those that are sold in bulk, and not the individually packed ones. The pine nuts are believed to have been contaminated by the bacteria Salmonella enteritidis and are linked to an outbreak from this bacteria. The bulk-sold Turkish nuts were sold in the stores’ Bulk Food Section from July 1 until October 18.
Salmonella enteritidis is a harmful food contaminant that can cause serious, even fatal, health risks to people. Food poisoning caused by this bacterium is called Salmonellosis, and can cause death in the elderly, small children, and in people who have weak immune systems. In healthy individuals, Salmonella infection can cause fever, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and sometimes, bloody diarrhea. There have also been rare cases wherein a Salmonella infection caused severe conditions like infected aneurysms, arthritis and endocarditis. Symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning often occur 12 to 72 hours after consumption of the infected food.
The affected Turkish pine nuts were sold in Wegman stores in the area of New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Wegman’s in Northborough, Massachusetts did not sell these pine nuts. The recalled Turkish pine nuts were imported by the company Sunshine Commodities. Consumers who were able to buy this product are strongly advised to discard it, or visit the Wegman’s store from which it was bought so that they can receive a refund. They can also call the company’s hotline at 1-800-934-6267 from 8 AM to 5 PM, Eastern Standard Time.
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