Whole Foods Market Recalls Bulk Peanut Products Due To Possible Health Risk

Whole Foods Market is recalling all code dates of the following bulk items because they may contain peanuts that have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella:

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The following recalled bulk items are:

* UPC 222422 Bulk Honey Roasted Peanuts (sold by the pound from self-service bulk bins)
* UPC 222424 Blanched Raw Peanuts* (sold by the pound from self-service bulk bins)
* UPC 222425 Dry-roasted Salted Peanuts (sold by the pound from self-service bulk bins)
* UPC 222426 Dry-roasted Unsalted Peanuts (sold by the pound from self-service bulk bins)
* UPC 222430 Oil Roasted Salted Skinless Peanuts (sold by the pound from self-service bulk bins)
* UPC 222432 Salted Redskin peanuts (sold by the pound from self-service bulk bins)
* UPC 222436 Raw Spanish Peanuts (sold by the pound from self-service bulk bins)
* UPC 8782 Honey Roasted Peanut Butter Stock* (sold by the pound from self-service bulk bins)
* UPC 9138 Unsalted Peanut Butter Stock* (sold by the pound from self-service bulk bins)
* UPC 9141 Organic Peanut Butter Stock* (sold by the pound from self-service bulk bins)

Items noted with a (*) are peanuts used in self-serve nut grinders.

* UPC 72305520422 Pre-packed Honey Roasted Peanuts
* UPC 72305520424 Pre-packed Blanched Raw Peanuts
* UPC 72305520425 Pre-packed Dry Roasted Salted Peanuts
* UPC 72305520426 Pre-packed dry Roasted Unsalted Peanuts
* UPC 72305520430 Pre-packed Oil Roasted salted Skinless Peanuts
* UPC 723055 20432 Pre-packed Oil Roasted Salted Redskin Spanish Peanuts
* UPC 72305520436 Pre-packed Raw Spanish Peanuts
* UPC 72305521422 Pre-packed 8-oz Honey Roasted Peanuts
* UPC 72305521424 Pre-packed 8-oz. Blanched Raw Peanuts
* UPC 72305521426 Pre-packed 8-oz. Dry Roasted Unsalted Peanuts
* UPC 72305521430 Pre-packed 8-oz. Oil Roasted Salted Skinless Peanuts
* UPC 72305521432 Pre-packed 8-oz. Salted redskin Peanuts
* UPC 72305521436 Pre-packed 8-oz. Raw Spanish Peanuts

“Pre-packed” denotes pre-packaged peanuts (clear clamshell containers from Bulk packing facility)

This action was taken as a result of the recently expanded recall by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) to include all peanut ingredients produced in their Blakely, Georgia facility, in turn affecting Whole Foods Market supplier for bulk peanuts. None of the recalled Whole Foods Market products have been directly linked to the salmonella outbreak, and there have been no illnesses reported.

The recalled products were sold in Whole Foods Market stores located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington D.C., Wisconsin, Toronto, ON.
Customers are encouraged to return any of these products to Whole Foods Market or Harry’s Farmers Market for a full refund.

Whole Foods Market Recalls "Whole Foods Carob Energee Nuggets”

Whole Foods Market today announced a recall of its Whole Foods Carob Energee Nuggets in four states because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The recalled products were distributed to Whole Foods Market stores in California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada. The product comes in a nine-ounce, clear plastic package with a label reading "Whole Foods Carob Energee Nuggets" and bears a UPC of 999482-000274. All lot codes are being recalled.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

Whole Foods Market's product supplier notified the Company of the potential for contamination of Salmonella. The action was taken after the Peanut Corporation of America, a company that supplies bulk peanut butter, issued a recall of the peanut butter used to make these Whole Foods Market bakery products.

Consumers who have purchased Whole Foods Carob Energee Nuggets are urged to return them to the store for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-512-542-0656.

Whole Foods Market® Issues Recall on 365 Organic Everyday Value™ Popcorn, Lightly Salted Due to Undeclared Dairy Allergen

Whole Foods Market today is recalling 365 Organic Everyday Value Popcorn, Lightly Salted because it may contain undeclared milk ingredients. The popcorn in these packages was incorrectly flavored with a white cheddar seasoning which includes milk ingredients; the seasoning may not be visibly apparent. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk ingredients run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

This product was distributed to and sold in Whole Foods Market retail stores in California, Arizona, Nevada, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Oregon, New Jersey, New York and Washington.

The product is sold in a blue and white 5 ounce bag with a picture of popcorn in a red and white container. The product is labeled as 365 Organic Everyday Value Organic Popcorn, Lightly Salted with a UPC of 9948240552. The recalled product's lot code is stamped on the front top right corner and reads "Sell By 10/28/08" or "Sell By 10/29/08".

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the product containing milk ingredients was incorrectly packaged in bags that did not reveal the presence of milk ingredients. Subsequent investigations indicate the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the producer's packaging processes.

Consumers who have purchased 365 Organic Popcorn Lightly Salted with a lot code of "Sell By 10/28/08" or "Sell By 10/29/08" are urged to return it to any Whole Foods Market for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 512-542-0656.

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