California-Based Firm Recalls Hazelnuts Because of E. coli Contamination Fears
Food safety groups and California food poisoning attorneys have been concerned about the many food contamination scandals that originate in our state. In the latest food recall announced by a California company, Los Angeles-based DeFranco and Sons has announced a voluntary recall of nut products, including hazelnuts, because of fears of E. coli contamination.
According to DeFranco and Sons, the products were bulk and consumer packaged in-shell hazelnuts and mixed nut products that contained in-shell hazelnuts. The company says that the products have been linked to at least seven cases of E. coli poisoning in Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin. In-shell hazelnuts, also known as filberts, and mixed snacks containing the filberts were distributed nationwide between November 2 and December 22, 2010. According to the company, the in-shell hazelnuts were likely sold in 2 pounds and 4 pound packages of mixed nuts, 1 pound packages of in-shell hazelnuts and open bins of nuts in grocery stores.
Consumers have been advised not to buy the in-shell hazelnuts as well as the mixed nuts containing the hazelnuts. If you have purchased the bulk consumer packaged nuts, contact the retailer, and find out if the nuts that you have purchased are the ones that have been included in the recall list. If you purchased the recalled products, discard these immediately.
The mixed nut and hazelnut packages involved in the recall include the following:
Sunripe 1 Pound Large Hazelnuts 070533
Sunripe 1 pound mixed hazelnuts 070533 000143
Sunripe 2 pounds mixed nuts 070533 001003
Season’s Greetings Gift Pack 4 pounds mixed nuts 070533 101024
Sunripe 50 pounds Imperial Mixed Nuts
Sunripe 50 pounds Supreme Mixed Nuts
George Packing 50 Pounds Hazelnuts
The recall only involves those products that were distributed by DeFranco and Sons between 2 November 2010 and 22 December 2010.
Anybody who eats food contaminated by the E. coli bacteria is at risk for E. coli poisoning. However, some people may be at a higher risk of infection. These include the elderly and children, who have weak immune systems. Besides, people with a weakened immune system because of surgery or an illness, may also be at a high risk of contracting the infection. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. The symptoms usually begin about 3 to 4 days after infection. However, some cases of E. coli poisoning may last much longer, and may be much more severe.
E. coli is diagnosed by doing stool tests. Many cases of E. coli poisoning will end without complications within one week. However, in cases of severe infection, persons may suffer from kidney failure, called hemolytic uremic syndrome. Persons who are beginning to suffer from hemolytic uremic syndrome may suffer from fever and abdominal pain. Look out for swelling of the feet and the entire body. If these signs are present, the patient must be rushed to the nearest hospital as quickly as possible. Hemolytic uremic syndrome can even be fatal.
The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated to the representation of personal injury victims. Please visit our website at
trlglaw.com. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us.
