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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.
Contact:
Cheryl Galway
770-667-8878 ext. 3353
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Austin, TX - May 27, 2004 -- Whole Foods Market of Austin, Texas is conducting a voluntary recall on its distribution of raw whole or diced almonds packaged under the name Whole Food Market because this product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis. The recalled almonds were packed in clear, rectangular plastic containers, sold by weight, labeled "almonds whole natural" and "diced raw almonds" under the Whole Foods Market brand. They were also available in self-service gravity-feed bulk bins.
Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infection in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. While no salmonella was found on the almonds, Whole Foods Market is working with the FDA to ensure the quality safety of its products. 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 results in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
This product is sold in Whole Foods Market and Harry's Farmers Market stores in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
This recall is in follow up to a voluntary recall announced last week by the producer of the almonds, Paramount Farms of California, 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 the FDA to assure that all potentially contaminated almonds are removed from the marketplace and that consumers are notified of the recall.
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Complete list of Almond Recalls