King Nut Recalls Contaminated Peanut Butter: Update

January 10, 2009

King Nut has released additional information about its just-announced recall of peanut butter.

The company is contacting all of its customers to request that they stop distributing all King Nut brand peanut butter identified by lot codes beginning with "8". The peanut butter, which was manufactured for King Nut by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), has been implicated in the national Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak.

King Nut also distributes PCA's Parnell's Pride brand of peanut butter, and has asked its customers to remove this brand from circulation as well. King Nut is not the sole distributor of Parnell's Pride.

King Nut has cancelled its orders with PCA, effective immediately. Peanut Corporation of America has not yet issued a statement regarding these developments.

Allergy Alert: EnviroKidz Penguin Puffs

Updated January 10, 2009

Original article posted December 20, 2008

Nature's Path has issued a voluntary product recall notice for certain batches of EnviroKidz Penguin Puffs cereals, because the labeling does not clearly indicate that one of the ingredients – Kamut – is a type of wheat.

The Company is concerned that individuals who are allergic to wheat or sensitive to gluten may consume this cereal without realizing the health risk. People who are allergic to wheat may suffer a life-threatening allergic reaction as a result of eating this cereal, while those who are sensitive to gluten could experience potentially severe gastrointestinal discomfort.

The recall includes 10-ounce cereal packages (UPC 0-58449-86015-0) with the following expiration dates stamped across the top panel:

09 Dec 08, 23 Feb 09, 27 March 09, 28 March 09, 19 May 09

The Penguin Puffs were sold in Kroger's QFC stores, Wegmans Food Markets and Tops Friendly Markets, and may also have been available in other retail food stores and supermarkets. NEW Jan 10

Consumers who purchased the recalled cereal should return the packages to the store for a refund.

For additional information, contact Nature's Path toll-free at 1-866-880-7284.

King Nut Recalls Contaminated Peanut Butter

January 10, 2009

In a press release issued today and first reported by Bill Marler of Marlerblog, King Nut has announced a voluntary recall of 5-pound tubs of Salmonella-contaminated peanut butter.

The peanut butter was manufactured for King Nut by Peanut Corporation of America of Lynchburg, VA (PCA), and was distributed by King Nut to food service and institutional customers across the United States.

King Nut should be commended for the speed with which it has acted in initiating the recall even though, according to the Company's press release, the Salmonella was isolated from an open jar of peanut butter. King Nut has recalled all jars of peanut butter manufactured for it by PCA, regardless of date code or batch number.

King Nut and FDA are carrying out additional testing on unopened containers to confirm the extent of the contamination.

We can be sure that FDA also will be inspecting the PCA production facility to search for the source of the contamination. The problem could be rodent or bird droppings, as suggested by Marler. Alternatively, there might be cross-contamination of roasted peanuts by dust or debris from the raw nuts. And Salmonella can remain alive in crevices of the production line for a very long time, if those hard-to-clean places are missed by the sanitation crew.

FDA will be working to obtain answers to the following questions:

• How did the peanut butter become contaminated?
  
• How long has the problem been incubating?
  
• What other products have been manufactured in the same facility that might also be contaminated?
  

While the King Nut recall only involves institutional-sized tubs of peanut butter, PCA manufactures peanut butter to be used as an ingredient by other food processors. 

One or more additional recalls might be in the offing.

Toxin Alert: Ciguatera Toxin in Frozen Leatherjacket

January 10, 2009

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning the public that some School of Fish brand Frozen Leatherjacket may contain ciguatera toxin and should not be consumed.

The following items, which are products of China, have been recalled by the importer, Frobisher International Enterprise Ltd.

• Production code HI04; Size 100/200; UPC 8 74718 00074 0
  
• Production code HI04; Size 200/400; UPC 8 74718 00073 3
  

The fish was distributed in British Columbia and Ontario.

According to CFIA, ciguatera poisoning is caused by "... an accumulation of marine biotoxins in fish." Symptoms may include gastroenteritis, itching, and cold inversion (i.e., hot items feel cold and cold items feel hot), begin 1-12 hours after consumption of toxin-contaminated fish, and can persist for several months. The toxin is not destroyed by heating.

Two illnesses have been associated with consumption of the recalled Leatherjacket.

Consumers should discard or return the recalled fish to the store. For more information, contact the importer at 604-523-8108.

Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak: CDC Names 42 States

January 10, 2009

Late yesterday evening, after eFoodAlert posted a list of 29 of the states affected by the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak, CDC finally released its list of 42 states, along with an update of the outbreak statistics.

According to CDC's latest numbers, 399 people in 42 states have been infected by the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium. The illnesses have fallen with the time period of September 3, 2008 and December 31, 2008. Most of the illnesses began after October 1, 2008. Eighteen percent of the patients for whom information is available have been hospitalized.

The youngest victim is a 2-month old infant living in California; the oldest is 98 years of age.

The list of cases by state is as follows:

Alabama (1), Arizona (8), Arkansas (3), California (55), Colorado (9), Connecticut (6), Georgia (5), Hawaii (1), Idaho (10), Illinois (4), Indiana (3), Iowa (1), Kansas (2), Kentucky (3), Maine (3), Maryland (7), Massachusetts (39), Michigan (20), Minnesota (30), Missouri (8), Nebraska (1), New Hampshire (10), New Jersey (13), New York (12), Nevada (6), North Carolina (1), North Dakota (10), Ohio (53), Oklahoma (2), Oregon (5), Pennsylvania (12), Rhode Island (3), South Dakota (2), Tennessee (9), Texas (5), Utah (3), Vermont (4), Virginia (12),Washington (11), West Virginia (2), Wisconsin (3), and Wyoming (2)

Yesterday evening, we reported that North Carolina was the 43rd state affected by this outbreak. Our report was based on the wording of the North Carolina news release. In fact, North Carolina is among the 42 states listed by CDC.

Minnesota's Department of Health investigators have linked the outbreak cases in that state to King Nut peanut butter, based on the results of epidemiological analysis. The state lab has detected Salmonella in a 5-pound jar of peanut butter; detailed genetic analysis of the isolate is pending. The state has issued an advisory, but no recall has been announced so far. 

King Nut is a privately owned company, with headquarters in Solon, OH. The company's web site does not mention peanut butter among its wholesale or retail product lines. Minnesota's advisory did not state the King Nut brand peanut butter manufacturer's name or location.

The contaminated peanut butter was distributed nationally to food service institutions, including those in hospitals, nursing homes, and school cafeterias. Minnesota authorities have advised food service institutions in the state to avoid serving the peanut butter pending receipt of further instructions. 

Mini-Jelly Cups Pose Choking Hazard

Updated January 10, 2009

(Original article posted December 25, 2008)

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has posted a series of Consumer Alerts in the past week, warning about the choking hazard associated with mini-jelly cups that contain konjac, a gelling agent.

The contents of the mini-jelly cups – popular in Asian communities – are liable to become lodged in the throat, due to the size and consistency of the jelly. According to CFIA, swallowing the jelly without breaking it into smaller pieces has, in the past, resulted in fatalities.

Consumers should be aware of the potential hazard associated with the following products, especially when consumed by children. 

• Nata De Coco in Konnyaku Jelly, Lychee Flavor. Sold in plastic bags with Japanese text and a bilingual sticker. Each bag contains 12 mini cups approximately the size of individual-serving coffee creamers, and bears UPC 4 560124 220389.
  
• Three Fish Bidrico coconut/fruit jelly cups. Sold in 1 Kg bear-shaped plastic jar containing assorted flavors of mini-cups. The jars are labeled with UPC 4 560124 220389.
  
• Three Fish Bidrico Assorted Flavor Coconut Jelly. Sold in 1 Kg bear-shaped plastic jars labeled with UPC 6 92948 03009 8. NEW Jan 10
• Rau Câu Bidrico Assorted Flavours Mixed Fruit Jelly. Sold in 500 g flexible plastic pouch labeled with UPC 8 935051 800571. NEW Jan 10

The Nata de Coco was imported by Daiso Store Canada Ltd. (Richmond, BC) and was sold only in the Daiso Store at Hazel Bridge Way, Richmond, BC. Daiso has initiated a recall of the product from the marketplace.

The Three Fish cups were imported from Vietnam by Seng Fung Distribution & Marketing Ltd. (Vancouver, BC) and sold in stores in Alberta and British Columbia. The importer has initiated a voluntary product recall.

The choking hazard associated with jelly cups that contain konjac has been known for many years. FDA issued a series of consumer alerts on these products in 2001 and 2002.

To minimize the risk of choking when eating the mini-jelly cups, consumers should break the jelly into small pieces, according to CFIA.

Mini-jelly cups that are produced using gelling agents other than konjac are not covered by this Consumer Alert. For more information, contact CFIA at 1-800-442-2343, Monday to Friday (except holidays), between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, EST.

Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak: Peanut Butter Now #1 Suspect

January 9, 2009

The Minnesota Department of Health and Department of Agriculture have found Salmonella in a 5-pound container of King Nut brand creamy peanut butter. King Nut is a privately owned company based in Solon, OH.

According to an advisory issued by the state of Minnesota this evening, the peanut butter has been linked epidemiologically to Minnesotans who are victims of the national Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak. Genetic profiling of the Salmonella from the peanut butter is not yet available; those results are expected early next week.

The institutional-size containers of peanut butter are distributed to food service establishments, including those in schools, hospitals, universities, restaurants, and long-term care facilities. The peanut butter is not known to be available in retail grocery stores.

The Minnesota DOH is advising food establishments to avoid serving the peanut butter, pending receipt of further instructions.

Aflatoxin-contaminated Pistachios Recalled in UK

January 9, 2009

Julian Graves Ltd., an independent natural foods retail chain, is recalling a batch of chili and lemon roasted pistachios after tests detected aflatoxin at levels more than 600 times the legal limit, according to an advisory issued by the UK Food Standards Agency.

The affected batch of nuts, identified as Lot number LF02454, Best before APR2009, was withdrawn from sale on January 2, 2009.

Aflatoxin is a natural toxin produced during the growth of the mold species Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. The toxin is a carcinogen, and its permitted levels in food and in animal feeds are severely restricted in most countries.

Consumers who purchased the recalled pistachios are urged to return them to the store for a refund.

Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak: 43 States Now Affected

January 9, 2009

North Carolina has just reported its first case of salmonellosis caused by the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium, bringing the number of affected states to 43, and the number of victims to 389.

CDC has chosen not to identify the states affected so far by the nationwide outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium. Only California, North Carolina and Ohio have posted information on their respective websites. A number of other state health departments, though, have been releasing information to their local news media.

Based on information posted by the three states, and on media reports across the United States, the following 29 states have reported confirmed cases of Salmonella Typhimurium that are linked genetically to the national outbreak.

• Arkansas: 3 cases 
  
• Arizona: 8 cases
  
• California: 53 cases in 10 counties; 15 or more victims hospitalized
  
• Colorado: 9 cases; 1 victim hospitalized
  
• Connecticut: 6 cases
  
• Georgia: 5 cases; 1 victim hospitalized
  
• Iowa: 1 case
  
• Idaho: 10 cases
  
• Illinois: 4 cases
  
• Maine: 2 cases
  
• Massachusetts: 39 cases
  
• Maryland: 7 cases
  
• Michigan: 20 cases in 13 counties; 7 victims hospitalized
  
• Minnesota: 30 cases; 11 victims hospitalized and 1 possible death
  
• Missouri: 8 cases; 4 victims hospitalized
  
• North Carolina: 1 case
• North Dakota: 7 cases
  
• New Hampshire: 10 cases
  
• Nevada: 1 or more cases (state declined to release information on number of cases)
  
• New Jersey: 13 cases (unclear whether suspect or confirmed)
  
• New York: 1 or more cases on Long Island
  
• Ohio: 50 cases
  
• Pennsylvania: 12 cases in 10 counties
  
• Rhode Island: 3 cases
  
• Tennessee: 9 cases; 1 or more victims hospitalized
  
• Texas: 5 cases
  
• Vermont: 3 cases
  
• Virginia: 12 cases; 7 victims hospitalized
  
• Wisconsin: 3 cases
  

These 29 states account for 335 of the 389 cases of Salmonella Typhimurium infection, assuming that the New Jersey cases have been confirmed.

No cases have been reported in Delaware or South Carolina.

We'll continue to update this list until CDC gets around to publishing a complete list of affected states.

Singapore Recalls Pere Ocean Mineral Water

Updated January 9, 2009

(Original article posted January 8, 2009)

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) of Singapore has instructed the importer and retailers of Pere Ocean Mineral Water to recall all 500 mL bottles with an expiry date of 09.12.10 from the retail market.

The action came after AVA detected unspecified foreign matter in the mineral water. Consumers who purchased the recalled water are advised to discard it.

Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety has alerted retailers in the Territory to the recall and has requested additional information from AVA. NEW Jan 9

Foreign matter is a catch-all phrase. It includes everything from particles of dirt to insect fragments.

Consumers with questions about this recall should call the AVA hotline at 1800-2262250.

Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak: A Trickle Of Information

January 8, 2009

Ohio, Georgia, Minnesota and California are among the 42 states  impacted by the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that is currently under investigation by CDC, FDA, USDA and state agencies, according to a report in today's New York Times.

CDC has confirmed that a single strain of Salmonella Typhimurium is responsible for 388 cases of salmonellosis, but has not identified which states are affected. That information is coming from the individual states, either directly or via the news media. 

Very little information has been released, either by CDC or by the states. Here is what we have learned so far from CDC.

• Number of confirmed cases: 388
  
• Date of onset of symptoms: September 3, 2008 to December 29, 2008
  
• Ages of victims: less than 1 to 103 years old
• Number hospitalized: 18% of victims for which that information is available
  
• Number of deaths: none
  

Based on the numbers reported in the New York Times article, Georgia (5), Ohio (51), California (51) and Minnesota (30) account for approximately one-third of the confirmed cases. One victim in Georgia was hospitalized, as were at least 12 in Ohio – the only state, as of this evening, to post information about the outbreak on its web site.

The piecemeal way in which CDC released news of this outbreak has led to some inaccuracies in media reports, according to information obtained by the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy (CIDRAP). Contrary to yesterday's published reports, CDC has NOT activated its emergency response network. CDC spokesperson, Lola Russell, also told CIDRAP News that a report suggesting that chicken was suspected of being the source of the outbreak was incorrect.

CIDRAP reports that 11 of the 30 Minnesota victims were hospitalized and 10 were in nursing homes, according to information it received from the Minnesota Department of Health. One outbreak victim in the state – a woman in her 70's with other health issues – has died. It's unclear, though, to what extent salmonellosis contributed to her death.

CDC is promising an update on this outbreak investigation on January 15th. 

Allergy Alert: Dried Sweet Potato

January 8, 2009

Domega International Ltd., Inc. (Brooklyn, NY) has recalled Guangdayuan brand Dried Sweet Potato due to the presence of undeclared sulfites in the product.

The product is sold in an un-coded clear 200 gram vacuum packed plastic bag. The Dried Sweet Potato is a product of China and was distributed across the United States.

The recall came after the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets detected sulfites in a sample of the product as part of a routine testing program. Consumption of sulfite-containing food can cause severe allergy-like symptoms in sensitive individuals.

Consumers who purchased Guangdayuan brand Dried Sweet Potato should return it to the retailer for a refund.

7-ELEVEN Burritos Recalled in Colorado

Updated January 8, 2009 with retail distribution link

Origin post date December 31, 2008

Home Fresh Sandwich Distributors, Inc. (Denver, CO) has recalled approximately 172 pounds of burrito products after the USDA found Listeria monocytogenes in a sample during a routine testing program.

The recall covers 5.3-ounce packages of 7-ELEVEN Fresh to Go BURRITO WITH POTATOES, BACON, EGGS, & MONTEREY JACK CHEESE, Best By date of Thursday 1225. The packages are labeled with establishment number EST. 19496 inside the USDA inspection seal.

The burritos were produced on December 23rd and sold in 7-ELEVEN retail convenience stores in the state of Colorado on December 24th and 25th.

There have been  no reports of illness, but anyone who consumed one of these sandwiches and who begins to experience symptoms of listeriosis should seek medical attention. Listeria monocytogenes infections can produce severe illness in the elderly, the very young, people with impaired immune systems and pregnant women.

For more information about this recall, consumers can contact the company's General Manager, Deena Rowland, at (303) 370-6766.

Salmonella Typhimurium Sickens 388 People In 42 US States

January 7, 2009

A multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium, which has been incubating in the United States since October 2008, has sickened at least 388 people so far, sending 18% of them to hospital. 

The victims of this outbreak are spread across 42 states, including Minnesota (30 confirmed cases) and Ohio (50 confirmed cases). As of this evening, federal and state investigators have no leads on the source of the contamination. 

All 388 confirmed victims of this outbreak were infected by a single strain of Salmonella Typhimurium, indicating a common source for the outbreak. But finding the source won't be easy. 

Recent food poisoning outbreaks suggest several possible scenarios.

1. The 2008 Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak was traced to imported produce that was distributed across much of the United States. Other multi-state outbreaks of Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 have been linked to contaminated lettuce and spinach from the Salinas Valley of California.
   
2. There have been several Salmonella outbreaks traced to frozen, raw or partly cooked chicken entrées that were undercooked by the consumer. Banquet brand pot pies were the source of a strain of Salmonella that infected at least 272 people in 35 states in 2007.
   
3. A contaminated, ready-to-eat processed food may be the source, as was the case in the 2007 Veggie Booty outbreak.
   
4. A contaminated pet food could spark an outbreak. Mars Petcare's dog food was the source of a prolonged Salmonella Schwarzengrund outbreak in 2006 and 2007 that affected 62 people in 18 states.
   

In October 2008, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) received one or more consumer complaints of dogs becoming ill after consuming pet food purchased at Wal-Mart. The state conducted lab tests on pet food from Wal-Mart and found Salmonella contamination in a sample of cat food and in a sample of dog food. 

WVDA issued a "stop sale" order on both products and reported its findings to FDA. The cat food eventually was recalled by Mars Petcare, the manufacturer. Although FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine investigated the dog food contamination report, no recall notice was ever issued. According to WVDA, the dog food sample contained Salmonella Typhimurium.

This could be nothing more than coincidence. The genetic fingerprint information for the dog food contaminant was never released by WVDA. Nor has the profile of the current outbreak strain been published by CDC. But the timing is right. 

Dry dog food has a one-year shelf life, which would be consistent with an outbreak that lasts for several months. And Mars Petcare already has closed one production facility permanently because the company could not rid itself of a chronic Salmonella contamination.

Let's hope that the state of West Virginia, the CDC and the Center for Veterinary Medicine are comparing notes.

Allergy Alert: Waitrose Chicken Curry

January 7, 2009

Waitrose has recalled certain date codes of its Low Saturated Fat Chicken Tikka Masala with Pilau Rice (400g) due to the presence of undeclared nuts, according to an Allergy Alert issued today by the UK Food Standards Agency.

The company has recalled all packages bearing "use by" dates of 14th Jan and 16th Jan.

While the products are safe for most individuals, people who are allergic to nuts may suffer a severe reaction upon consuming the recalled items. Waitrose has requested consumers to return the chicken products to the store for a refund.

Please contact the Waitrose Customer Services Department at 0800 188884 for answers to any questions about this recall.

Québec Recall of Listeria-contaminated Sliced Sausage

January 7, 2009

The Québec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) is advising the public that Nordest – Mont-Laurier brand Chipotle Fire sliced sausage (Best Before January 2 and January 5, inclusive) may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and should not be consumed.

The sausage was distributed by Distribution de la Lièvre, 3816 route Eugène-Trinquier, Montréal, QC and was sold in variable sized packages in the following two locations:

• Kiosque de vente de la Ferme Le Nordest du Marché Jean-Talon, Montréal
  
• Boucherie Le Nordest, 5 rue de l'Église, St-Sauveur
  

Consumers are advised to return the recalled sausage to the retail location where it was purchased.

The China Syndrome: Topaz Wafer Rolls Recalled – Melamine

January 7, 2009

National Brands, Inc. (Spring Valley, NY) has recalled four varieties of Topaz Wafer Rolls after FDA confirmed the presence of melamine in the sweets. Consumers first were alerted to the melamine contamination in late November by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.

Topaz Wafer Rolls are manufactured in China and distributed in the United States by National Brands to retail stores across the country. The following flavors and lot numbers, packaged in 4.76oz (135 gm) and 12.3oz (350 gm) metal cans, have been recalled by the distributor:

• Topaz Wafer Rolls with Chocolate Flavored Cream Filling: Lot numbers L8085A, L8219A, L8245A
  
• Topaz Wafer Rolls with Hazelnut Chocolate Flavored Cream Filling: Lot numbers L8085D, L8219D, L8245D
  
• Topaz Wafer Rolls with Vanilla Flavored Cream Filling: Lot numbers L8085B, L8219B, L8245B
  
• Topaz Wafer Rolls with Mocha Cappuccino Flavored Cream Filling: Lot numbers L8085C, L8219C, L8245C
  

While FDA has not indicated the level of melamine that it found in these products, Connecticut reported finding 5 ppm in the wafer and 7 ppm in the cream when it tested the Hazelnut Chocolate Flavored variety. Melamine concentrations higher than 2.5 ppm (1 ppm in infant formulas and foods meant for infants and children younger than 36 months) are considered excessive by FDA.

The recall notice – dated December 19, 2008 – was posted to the FDA web site on January 5, 2009. There was no reason given for the delay in making this national recall public.

Listeria monocytogenes In Wisconsin Bacon Bits

January 6, 2009

Patrick Cudahy (Cudahy, WI) has recalled 3,590 pounds of bacon bit products after a customer who received a shipment of bacon bits found Listeria monocytogenes in a sample.

The following two items have been recalled:

• 10-pound cases of "Golden Crisp APPLEWOOD SMOKED PRECOOKED BACON TOPPINGS." The products bear the establishment number "EST. 28" inside the USDA mark of inspection as well as a printed Julian date of "8318."
  
• 10-pound cases of "John Morrell APPLEWOOD SMOKED PRECOOKED BACON TOPPINGS." The products bear the establishment number "EST. 28" inside the USDA mark of inspection as well as a printed Julian date of "8318."
  

The bacon bits were distributed to restaurants and institutional customers in California, Colorado, Florida, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin. The recalled items were not sold in stores.

While no illnesses have been reported, Listeria monocytogenes can cause severe illness in the elderly, the very young, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women. Anyone in these at-risk population groups who begins to experience symptoms of listeriosis should seek immediate medical advice.

Customers who have questions about this recall should contact Mike Reitz, Cuhady's Director of Customer Service, at (414) 744-2000.

Allergy Alert: St-Hubert BBQ Sauce Recalled

January 6, 2009

Groupe St-Hubert, Division Détail (Anjou, QC) has recalled certain cans of St-Hubert brand Bar-B-Q Sauce due to the presence of undeclared milk in the sauce. 

The recalled 398 mL cans of sauce are labeled with UPC UPC 0 66701 00100 5 and lot code beginning with EXP OC 2011 0 2718BA. The sauce was distributed in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.

While most individuals can consume this sauce without risk, people who are allergic to milk or dairy products may suffer a severe – possibly life-threatening – reaction after ingesting even a small amount of the Bar-B-Q sauce. One allergic reaction has been associated with the consumption of this product, according to the Allergy Alert released by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

For more information on this recall, including how to return the recalled items, consumers can contact Josée Vaillancourt, Communications, Groupe St-Hubert, at 514-913-3741.

Allergy Alert: Dried Apricots Recalled in UK

December 31, 2008

The Health Store has recalled a batch of its own brand of Whole, Dried Apricots due to the presence of undeclared sulphites in the fruit, according to an Allergy Alert released by the UK Food Standards Agency.

The recalled The Health Store brand Whole, Dried Apricots are sold in 500g packages labeled with a Best before date of 13 June 2009 and Batch code 40 259.

While most individuals will not experience any adverse effects from eating this batch of apricots, people who are sensitive to sulphites may suffer severe – possibly life-threatening – allergy-like symptoms after consuming even a small quantity of the recalled apricots.

Consumers who purchased Batch code 40 259 of the Whole, Dried Apricots should check with the store for instructions.