SunOpta is issuing its third expansion of recalls of sunflower seeds that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. There are no confirmed illnesses associated with these particular recalls, but there are at least two illnesses linked to First Source sunflower seeds and products containing them. First Source got its sunflower seed products from SunOpta.
The recall is for four Market District stores in the midwest. The first was for sunflower seeds sold in bulk food sections of the central Ohio Market District stores in Kingdale, Dublin, and Grandview Yard with PLU 65167. The seeds were sold loose in the bulk bin through June 1, 2016 and in pre-packaged containers with sell-by dates through December 1, 2016.
The second recall is for sunflower seeds sold in the bulk section of the Carmel Market District. The PLU number for those products is also 65167. They were for sale in the bulk bin through June 1, 2016, and in pre-packaged containers with sell by dates through December 1, 2016.
The third recall is for bulk sunflower seeds and pre-packaged containers sold in three northeast Ohio Giant Eagle Stores. They were sold in the Rocky River Giant Eagle, the Portage Crossing, and Strongsville Market District locations. The PLU numbers and dates are the same.
The fourth recall expansion is for a case of sunflower seeds sold in the Meadville Giant Eagle in the Pittsburgh area. In addition, bulk sunflower seeds and those sold in pre-packaged containers in Waterworks Mall (Fox Chapel), Shadyside, Township of Pine, and South Hills Village Market District locations are recalled. They have a PLU number of 65167 and the sell by dates are the same.
If you purchased seeds with this PLU number in any of the above stores, do not eat them. Throw them away or return them to the store where you bought them for a full refund. Then clean out your cupboard or wherever you stored the product with a mild bleach solution to kill any bacteria.
If you ate any of these products, watch yourself for the symptoms of listeriosis for the next 70 days.Those symptoms include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. If you do get sick, especially if you are pregnant or have a health condition, see your doctor.
