Giant Eagle supplier SunOpta has told the company that sunflower seeds sold in four different locations in its store chain may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. The seeds were all sold in the bulk food section of the stores. No illnesses have been reported to date.
The first recall is for sunflower seeds sold at the Carmel Market District. It has a PLU 65167 and was sold in the bulk bin between February 15, 2016 and May 3, 2016; and in pre-packaged containers with sell by dates of August 1, 2016 through August 19, 2016. You can see pictures of recalled products at the FDA site.
The second recall is for sunflower seeds sold in four northeast Ohio Giant Eagle and Market District stores. The seeds were sold in Rocky River Giant Eagle, and the Solon, Portage Crossing, and Strongsville Market District locations; that product also has a PLU number 65167 and was available for purchase between February 15, 2016 and May 3, 2016, and in pre-packaged containers with sell by dates of August 1, 2016 through August 19, 2016.
The third recall is for seeds sold in central Ohio, at the Kingsdale, Grandview Yard, and Dublin Market District locations with PLU 65167. The bulk purchase dates and sell-by dates of the prepackaged containers is the same.
And finally, a recall for sunflower seeds sold in four Pittsburgh Market District stores was announced. The seeds were sold in the bulk food sections of the Waterworks, Township of Pine, Shadyside, and South Hills Village Market District stores with a PLU 65167. The bulk purchase dates and sell by dates are the same.
If you purchased these products, do not eat them. Throw them away in a sealed container or return them to the place of purchase for a refund. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling this product. Clean out your pantry or wherever the seeds may have been stored with a mild bleach solution to kill any bacteria.
If you ate any of these seeds, monitor yourself for the symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes food poisoning for the next 70 days. Those symptoms are flu-like, including fever, headache, stiff neck, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea. If you do get sick, see your doctor and tell him you ate this recalled product.
