Trader Joe's Company has recalled its raw walnuts due to a possible Salmonella contamination.
Salmonella is an organism that can lead to serious symptoms and even death, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported.
Healthy people infected with the organism usually experience "fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain." In some circumstances, the organism can enter the blood stream, leading to arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis. The infection is deadliest to young children.
The affected products subject to the recall were distributed to Trader Joe's stores across the nation. They are packaged in clear plastic bags with UPC Codes printed on the back. The Raw California Walnut products have "BEST BY" dates printed on the back of the packaging while he Organic Raw Walnut products have them printed on the front.
The affected products include: Trader Joe's Nuts Raw California Walnut Pieces, Trader Joe's Nuts Raw California Walnut Halves & Pieces, Trader Joe's Nuts Raw California Walnut Baking Pieces, and Trader Joe's Nuts Raw California Premium Walnut Halves, all BEST BY December 2015. The recall also includes Trader Joe's Organic Raw Walnut Halves & Pieces with BEST BY dates of Oct. 15 2015, Oct. 16 2015, Oct. 17 2015, Oct. 20 2015, Oct. 21 2015, Nov. 17 2015, Nov. 18 2015, Nov. 19 2015, Nov. 20 2015, Nov. 28 2015, and Dec. 1 2015.
"The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by an outside company contracted by the FDA revealed the presence of Salmonella in certain packages of Trader Joe's Raw Walnuts," the FDA stated.
Trader Joe's has now removed the contaminated products from its shelves and suspended their sale until the source of the problem is discovered.
"Customers who have purchased any of this recalled Raw Walnut product are urged not to eat it, and to dispose of the product or return it to any Trader Joe's for a full refund. Customers with questions may contact Trader Joe's Customer Relations at (626) 599-3817," the FDA stated.
