By Gary Telladonte, blackdoctor.org
Products containing sunflower seeds from a Minnesota-based company, SunOpta, are under a voluntary recall in at least 24 states.
The recall stems from concerns about possible listeria contamination, though no illnesses have been directly linked to the products. You may not know the name SunOpta, but you’ll probably know the brands that they provide seeds for. Certain products made by Planters, Sunrich Naturals, and Papa John’s Salads and Produce are included in the recall.
The recall affects Planters and Sunrich Naturals sunflower kernels made between the dates of February 1 and April 21, the date when the facility stopped production of the seeds, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a release.
Also, because sunflower seeds are used in many other meals, Arizona-based Papa John’s Salad and Produce, Inc. has issued a voluntary recall of its Oriental Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing, with sell-by dates of May 18 through May 25.
The salads are a pre-packaged blend sold in retail grocery stores including Albertson’s, Safeway, Food 4 Less and Bashas’.
There are over 210 deaths a year due to listeria. Here is what listeria can do to you.
In Healthy People:
Fever
Diarrhea
In High Risk People:
Convulsions,
Fever
headache
Muscle Ache
Body Stiffness
Miscarriages
Death
The FDA is urging consumers who bought any of these items matching these descriptions to promptly throw them away or return them to the store for a refund.
One of the simplest things you can do to fight against listeria is to:
- wash all produce
- separate raw red meat and chicken from other foods
- make sure all processed cheese is made with pasteurized milk
- check all food dates
- if any symptoms continue past one day, seek medical attention
Retailers and wholesale customers should check their inventories and shelves to confirm that none of the products are present or available for purchase by consumers or in warehouse inventories. Please contact SunOpta at [email protected] to arrange for disposal or return of the product.
For more on the latest recalled foods in your area, click here.
