Atkins Nutritionals is voluntarily recalling some of their bar products for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination because they contain SunOpta sunflower seeds. No illnesses have been reported in association with the consumption of these products, but listeriosis, the illness caused by this bacteria, can take up to 70 days to appear.
The recalled products are Day Break 5 pack Cranberry Almond Bar, Meal 5 Pack Strawberry Almond Bar, Meal 5 pack Cinnamon Bun Bar, Snack 5 pack Triple Chocolate Bar, Meal 6 pack Chocolate Chip Granola Bar BONUS, Meal 5 pack Blueberry Greek Yogurt, Day Break 5 pack Chocolate Hazelnut Bar, Snack 5 pack Caramel Double Chocolate Crunch Bar, Snack 5 pack Cashew Trail Mix Bar, Day Break 5 pack Peanut Butter Fudge Crisp Bar, and Meal 5 pack Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Bar. You can see the long list of item numbers, lot codes, and best by dates at the FDA web site, along with pictures of product packages.
If you purchased any of these products, do not eat them. Throw them away in a sealed container or return them to the store where you purchased them for a full refund. Then clean out your pantry or wherever you stored these items with a mild bleach solution to kill any bacteria. Remember that Listeria monocytogenes can grow at refrigerator temperature, and freezing does not kill it.
If you ate any of these recalled products, monitor yourself for the symptoms of listeriosis for the next 70 days. Those symptoms include severe headache, high fever, muscle aches, neck stiffness, abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea. If you do get sick, see your doctor and tell her you ate these recalled items.
