Salmonella Spurs Texas Walnut Recall
Dallas, Texas-based Hines Nut Company has issued a voluntary recall of some of its walnut products because of a fear that some of the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The product was packaged by Hines, and sold by Biggs, California-based Gold State Nut Company.
The concern about the possible contamination came after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered routine testing by an outside contractor, and that testing revealed the presence of Salmonella in at least one package of Walnut Halves & Pieces.
The products that are subject to this recall include:
- Hines Nut brand Walnut Halves and Pieces that are sold in black foam trays adorned with a gold and green label. They come in 12 and 16 ounce sizes and have the Lot Number 6908 printed on the label. They were packaged between November 25 and December 5, 2014 and have best-by dates between September 21, 2015 and October 1, 2015. These products were distributed throughout Texas.
- Harris Teeter Farmers Market Brand Walnut Halves and Pieces. These are also packed in black foam trays, but they have a black and red label. This product comes in only a 10 ounce size, and the Lot Number 6908 is printed on the Nutrition Facts label on the back of the package. These walnuts were packaged on December 2, 2014 and have a best-by date of September 28, 2015. These products were sent to two distribution centers in North Carolina forHarris Teeter retail stores throughout the Southeast.
So far, the Hines Nut Company has received no complaints about the product, and no illnesses have been reported so far. That’s a good thing, because Salmonella bacteria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in many people, especially young children and the elderly. Sickness will usually occur within the first three days after exposure and will last about a week. Among the most common symptoms include cramps, nausea, fever and severe diarrhea, which can also lead to dehydration and potential kidney problems. In some cases, Salmonella infection can get into the bloodstream and result in more serious illnesses, including arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there are more than 1 million Salmonella illnesses every year, with about 20,000 of them needing to be hospitalized. and 380 of them dying.
Anyone who has purchased any of these recalled walnut products are being asked not to eat them. They are asked to contact Hines Nut Company at 1 800-561-6374, during the hours of 7 am to 4 pm CST Monday through Friday. to get a full refund and to find out how to dispose of the product.
If you or a loved one has any of the symptoms described above, see a doctor immediately. If you are diagnosed with any type of foodborne illness, whether it’s Salmonella or not, please contact the experienced Texas Food Poisoning Injury Lawyer at Hill Law Firm as soon as you can, to protect your rights.