FDA PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 28, 2011
Media Inquiries: Tamara Ward, 301-796-7567, Tamara.Ward@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

FDA warns consumers not to eat Wegmans’ bulk Turkish pine nuts
Forty-three cases of salmonellosis linked to recalled product

Fast Facts
• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to eat Turkish pine nuts purchased from unlabeled plastic bulk      containers at Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. or any food items they may have prepared using the bulk Turkish pine nuts, such as pesto, salads, or baked goods.
• Wegmans is voluntarily recalling approximately 5,000 lbs. of Turkish pine nuts sold in the bulk foods department of most Wegmans stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia and Maryland between July 1 and October 18, 2011. 
• The pine nuts may be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. This type of infection is most dangerous to young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at least 43 illnesses have been reported in California, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. No deaths have been reported.
• Consumers should check their homes, including refrigerators and freezers, for Turkish pine nuts purchased from bulk bins at Wegmans stores between July 1, 2011 and October 18, 2011. Consumers should not eat these pine nuts and should throw away or return the product to Wegmans for a refund.  Consumers who are experiencing symptoms that could be salmonellosis should consult their health care provider.

What is the Problem?
Wegmans is recalling approximately 5,000 lbs. of Turkish pine nuts sold in the bulk foods department of most Wegmans stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and Maryland between July 1 and October 18, 2011. The pine nuts may be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis and may cause illness in people consuming them. This recall does not include prepackaged pine nuts sold at Wegmans.

According to CDC at least 43 illnesses have been reported in California, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. Two persons have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

What are the Symptoms of Salmonellosis?
Most persons infected with Salmonella bacteria develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. This illness is called salmonellosis. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, in some persons, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. Salmonellosis may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. Older adults, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness from Salmonella infection. Consumers who are experiencing symptoms that could be salmonellosis should consult their health care provider.

Who is at Risk?
Older adults, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness from Salmonella infection. Consumers who are experiencing symptoms that could be salmonellosis should consult their health care provider.

What Do Consumers Need To Do? 
Consumers who have purchased this product should throw it away or return it to Wegmans for a full refund. Consumers should also throw away any food items they may have prepared using the bulk Turkish pine nuts, such as pesto, salads, or baked goods. Consumers with questions may contact Wegmans’ consumer affairs department toll free at 1-800-WEGMANS (1-800-934-6267) Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET.

What Does the Product Look Like?
The affected pine nuts were sold in the bulk food department of Wegmans from unlabeled plastic bulk containers. Also, Turkish pine nuts were ingredients in several prepared foods sold at Wegmans stores, such as Caprese salad or asparagus with pine nuts.

Where was it Distributed?
The recalled Turkish pine nuts were sold in Wegmans stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and Maryland.  According to Wegmans, the recalled pine nuts were imported from Turkey and were distributed by Sunrise Commodities of Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.  FDA is examining the supply chain to find out if any other retailers may have received the recalled pine nuts and if additional recalls are necessary.

What is Being Done about the Problem?
Wegmans has recalled the Turkish pine nuts and has placed automated phone calls to customers who purchased the Turkish pine nuts using their Shoppers Club card alerting them about the recall. FDA is working closely with CDC and state officials to investigate the source of the Turkish pine nuts and to determine whether they were distributed to other retailers. As FDA’s investigation continues, the agency will provide updates as warranted. 
 
Who Should be Contacted?
Consumers with questions may contact Wegmans consumer affairs department toll free at 1-800-WEGMANS (1-800-934-6267) Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET.

The information in this press release reflects the FDA’s best efforts to communicate what it has learned from the manufacturer and the state and local public health agencies involved in the investigation. The agency will update this page as more information becomes available.

For more information:

Wegmans Press Release: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm277393.htm
CDC Update: http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/pinenuts-enteriditis/index.html
FoodSafety.gov on Salmonella: http://www.foodsafety.gov/poisoning/causes/bacteriaviruses/salmonella/

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