Creative Snacks of North Carolina is expanding their recall of specific lots of bulk and packaged sunflower seed products for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. SunOpta, the supplier that recalled the original product, has issued a further expanded recall. Now, all sunflower seeds processed in SunOpta’s Crookston, Minnesota facility between May 31, 2015 and January 31, 2016 are recalled. No illnesses have been reported in connection to these specific products.
You can see the long list of recalled products at the FDA web site, along with the lot numbers, UPC numbers, and best before dates. The recalled brand names are Creative Snacks, The Fresh Market, Publishers Clearing House, and Plentiful Planet. The products include roasted and salted sunflower seeds, Brain Food, Roasted No Salt Sunflower Seeds, Heart Smart Mix, and Healthy Snackin’ in various sizes. You can also see pictures of product packages at that site.
If you purchased any of these products, do not eat them. They were distributed to retailers nationwide and sold in several formats, including bulk sales, rigid containers, and small re-sealable bags. Throw them away in a sealed container or return them to the store where you bought them for a refund. Clean out your pantry or fridge with a mild bleach solution to kill bacteria after you have discarded these products. Listeria can grow at refrigerator temperatures.
If you ate any of the recalled products, monitor yourself for the symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes food poisoning for the next 70 days. Those symptoms include high fever, stiff neck, muscle aches, flu-like symptoms, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. If you do get sick, see your doctor.
I purchased bulk, shelled unsalted seeds from Fresh Market here in Grand Rapids, MI. late in May. I discarded the bag and placed them in a Tupperware container and put them in my pantry. I consumed some but not much as they were really bland. I saw this announcement today (6-15-16) and will now discard them.
I was told by Walmart stock employee the packaged dry-roasted seeds that I regularly purchase were recalled. I was upset because I don’t watch TV or receive newspaper delivery and was consuming these seeds prior to the recall
I know it’s upsetting. But you are informed now, and if you ate any recalled product, watch yourself for Listeria symptoms. If you do feel ill, see your doctor. I hope you will be fine.