Sherman Produce is recalling walnuts because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. Listeria can cause serious illness, especially among the young, elderly, pregnant women, and those with health problems and compromised immune systems. No illnesses have been reported to date, but listeriosis can take months to develop.
The recalled products are 241 cases of bulk walnuts packaged in 25 pound bulk cardboard boxes. Also recalled are Schnucks brand 10 ounce trays of walnuts. The UPC number for the Schnucks product is 00338390032 and best by dates are 03/15 and 04/15. The products were sold to retailers in Missouri and Illinois from March through May 2014.
The recall was initiated after FDA sampling detected the bacteria at the facility. All walnuts processed in the facility at that timeframe are being recalled. If you purchased this product, do not eat it. Return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
You should also sanitize your refrigerator or pantry where the nuts were stored, using a mild bleach solution. Listeria bacteria can grow at refrigerator temperatures.
If you ate these nuts, monitor yourself for the symptoms of listeriosis, the illness caused by the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, for the next 70 days. Those symptoms include muscle aches, flu-like symptoms, fever, upset stomach, diarrhea, stiff neck, headache, loss of balance, confusion, or convulsions. Pregnant women are especially susceptible to this disease. They may only have a mild illness, but listeriosis can cause stillbirth and miscarriage.
