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Recall -- Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Bear Foods Market Recalls Raw Almonds and Raw Almond Products Due to Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Chris Anderson
509-682-5535

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Chelan, WA -- May 26, 2004 -- Bear Foods Market, Chelan, WA, is conducting a voluntary recall on its distribution of raw whole (or diced) almonds packaged as Raw - Supreme Almonds, Bear’s Delight Trail Mix, Diabetic Snack Mix, and Stehekin Trail Blazer due to the possibility of contamination with Salmonella Enteritidis. The recalled almonds are packed in clear plastic packages under the Bear Foods label and range in weight from 8 oz. to 6 lbs. with code dates of “Packed on May 22, 04” or before. This recall does not affect our products labeled “organic”.

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 inflected 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.

Bear Foods Market distributes these products through their retail store located in Chelan, Washington.

This recall is in follow-up to a voluntary recall announced in mid-May by Paramount Farms of California of whole and diced raw almonds based on over 20 possible cases of illnesses associated with the almonds. The cases were reported in California , Arizona , Oregon , Washington , Utah , New Mexico , Arkansas , Tennessee , Massachusetts and Michigan . We are working with FDA to assure that all potentially contaminated almonds are removed from the marketplace and that consumers are notified of the recall.

The raw almonds should not be consumed but rather returned to the store of purchase for a full refund. Fur further information, call Bear Foods Market, (509) 687-5535, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, or between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.

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Complete list of Almond Recalls

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