Costco Wholesale Canada Inc. and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are recalling Alpine Fresh Snap Peas from the marketplace because they may be contaminated with Cyclospora parasites. There have been illnesses reported with the consumption of this product.
The recalled products is Alpine Fresh Snap Peas sold in 2 pound (907 gram) packages. All Best Before dates from 15-OC-01 to 15-OC-29 inclusively are recalled. The UPC number of the product is 8 15887 01072 7. The product was sold in Costco stores across Ontario.
If you have this product in your home, do not eat it. Throw it out in a double bagged or sealed container, or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
Cyclospora is a parasite that cannot be completely washed off produce. This is important because snap peas are often eaten uncooked. The symptoms of a Cyclospora infection include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, gas, bloating, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, severe fatigue, and flu-like symptoms. The symptoms can recur without warning for months.
Cyclospora cayetanensis parasites get into food through contaminated feces. Someone infected with the parasite has a bowel movement containing immature oocysts. Oocysts get onto food, either through handling or contaminated water. If the food is not eaten for a day or a week or so, the unsporulated oocysts sporulate and become infective. Outbreaks in the past have been caused by raspberries, basil, snow peas, lettuce, and cilantro.
Treatment for this illness is a sulfa drug. If a patient is allergic to sulfa, treatment is limited.
