Turkish Pine Nuts Purchased at Wegmans Linked to Salmonella Infections

Virginia is among the six states where 42 people have been infected with Salmonella Enteritidis since Aug. 20, according to the an Oct. 26 announcement from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the illness has been traced to Turkish Pine Nuts sold at Wegmans grocery stores. At least four people in Virginia have contracted the disease, according to the CDC. It’s not yet certain whether the nuts were sold elsewhere.

The pine nuts were available in bulk bins and also used as an ingredient in prepared products, such as Caprese salads. Wegmans has recalled 5,000 pounds of the product sold at most of its stores from July 1 through Oct. 18.

Customers with shopper’s club cards who purchased the pine nuts should receive a phone from the store alerting them to the recall. Consumers are advised to check their homes, including refrigerators and freezers for the product, which should be disposed or returned to Wegmans for a refund.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and state and local public health partners continue to investigate the outbreak to determine the source of the nuts and whether they were distributed to other food retailers.

Additional information regarding the outbreak investigation and recall may be found at the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/pinenuts-enteriditis/102611/index.html and the FDA website at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm277393.htm.

The following information was posted on the CDC website:

Clinical Features/Signs and Symptoms
Most persons infected with Salmonella bacteria develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, in some persons, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. Older adults, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness from Salmonella infection. More information about Salmonella, and steps people can take to reduce their risk of infection with Salmonella in general, can be found on the CDC Salmonella Web Page and the CDC Vital Signs Web Page.

Advice to Consumers, Retailers, and Others

• Consumers should check their homes, including refrigerators and freezers, for Turkish pine nuts purchased from bulk bins at Wegmans stores between July 1, 2011 and October 18, 2011 and not eat them. Consumers should also not eat any foods prepared with the recalled product, including pesto, salads, and baked goods.
• Restaurants and food service operators should not serve the recalled product.  
• Consumers, retailers, and others who have any of the recalled product should dispose of it in a closed plastic bag placed in a sealed trash can. This will prevent people or animals from eating it.
• Persons who think they might have become ill from eating possibly contaminated recalled products should consult their health care providers. Infants, older adults, and persons with impaired immune systems are more likely than others to develop severe illness.