Hazelnut Recall

ST. LOUIS, MO, November 17, 2010 (Press-News.org) All shelled hazelnuts processed by Willamette Shelling from October 12, 2009 through November 25, 2009 have been recalled due to possible contamination with Salmonella. The recalled hazelnuts were shelled in Oregon, and are sold in many states throughout the country. The Willamette Shelling hazelnut recall is affecting several brands of raw and roasted, organic and non-organic, shelled hazelnuts, and products containing them. It does not apply to hazelnuts sold in their shells.

So far, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recall. One production lot of the shelled hazelnuts tested positive for Salmonella contamination, prompting Willamette Shelling to issue the recall as a precautionary measure.

Willamette Shelling shelled the recalled hazelnuts for other processors in Oregon and one in Canada. Those processors distributed the nuts under the brand names:

Kunze Farms
Evonuk Oregon Hazelnuts
Canadian Hazelnuts
Firestone Farms

Under those brand names, the nuts were packaged in 25 lb and 50 lb corrugated boxes. The boxes affected by the Willamette Shelling recall have lot code numbers 296091A, 299091A, 300091A, VH3696BO, and 310091A.

This incident has spawned other recalls by companies who resell the recalled hazelnuts. This is where it gets difficult for consumers, and those who have received shelled hazelnuts or product containing them as gifts, to determine if the nuts they have in their possession are affected by the recall. In addition to the brands listed in the Willamette Shelling recall, the recalls have affected:

Willamette Filbert Growers
Meridian Organic Hazelnuts
Mountain Man Fruit & Nut Company
Burnt Ridge Orchards
Market of Choice
Whole Foods Market
Harry and David
Janzen Farms

Some of the recalled shelled hazelnuts were sold in bulk, others were packaged. Some were in packages of mixed nuts and other mixed products, such as trail mix.

If you suspect that you have hazelnuts affected by the recall in your possession, you are urged not to consume them. Willamette Shelling is asking processors who used their facility during the affected time period to return the nuts. Consumers need to contact the retailers from which they purchased the nuts for instructions. Most of the retailers are offering a full refund. Some require that you return the product. Some suggest throwing it away. Mountain Main Fruit & Nut Company is reluctantly replacing products, but not offering a refund.

Salmonella risk is not to be taken lightly. Healthy adults with normal immune systems typically become very ill when infected, but recover. Young children, elderly people, and those with weak immune systems can die from Salmonella. Even in healthy people there is a chance of the organism getting into the bloodstream and causing very serious health problems.

Consumers who are injured by a defective food, defective medication, or other dangerous product may be entitled to compensation.

If you believe that you have become ill from eating recalled hazelnuts or any other product that was discovered to be defective or dangerous in any way, please visit the website of Schlichter, Bogard & Denton at www.druginjuryinformation.com, experienced defective products attorneys serving clients nationwide.