Treehouse Foods recalls almost 100 products in sunflower seed listeria scare
The company, which operates more than 50 manufacturing facilities across the US, has recalled 97 products including snack bars and trail mixes distributed nationwide through retail stores. Affected ranges include Nature's Harvest, Southern Grove, Gold Emblem, Roundy and Meijer (see below for full list).
News of the Treehouse recall came the same day Canada-based manufacturer SunOpta announced it was recalling two products, also as a result of potential listeria contamination in sunflower seeds.
Treehouse was alerted to the sunflower seed issue by a supplier and is now working with the US Food and Drug Administration as it investigates the issue.
Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, said the company.
“Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women,” it added.
No illnesses reported
No illnesses have been reported to date, and TreeHouse said it had initiated the voluntary recall “in an abundance of caution to protect public health”.
Treehouse, which is due to report its first-quarter financial results tomorrow (May 5), this year completed its $2.7bn acquisition of ConAgra’s private-label operations in categories including snacks, nuts and crackers; cereal; bars; pasta and frozen bakery. The deal saw Treehouse take on 9,500 ConAgra employees and 32 manufacturing facilities in the US, Canada and Italy.
SunOpta product recall
Ingredients and packaged products supplier SunOpta has also voluntarily recalled two sunflower products – 16oz Dakota’s Best Biggy'z Roasted and Salted Sunflower Kernels and 3oz Planters Sunflower Kernels - over fears they may be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes.
No illnesses have been reported to date as a result of the products, although the company said it had received one customer complaint that did not involve an illness.
The affected products were manufactured at SunOpta’s Crookston, Minnesota, facility between February 1 and February 19 2016. They were sent to distribution centers in Illinois and North Dakota between February 22 and February 25 and may be redistributed to other states nationwide.
“The quality and safety of the food we produce and the ingredients we provide are the highest priority for us,” said SunOpta. “We have isolated the production window to a short time frame and are working with the FDA and customers to control and dispose of affected product.”
Edited: May 5
Treehouse Foods has amended its list of recalled products:
Additions:
- 2113028352 / Signature Kitchen Sweet & Salty Almond Bars / Dec 08 16
- 041498206680 / Southern Grove Roasted and Salted Sunflower Kernels / 2/28/2017
Corrections:
- Best By Date: DEC 09 16 for 1373312032 Meijer White Chocolate Chip Pretzel Bars
- UPC Code 2113028372: Changed ‘Signature Kitchen Chocolate Chip Pretzel Bars DEC 08 16’ to ‘Signature Kitchen Peanut Chocolate Chunk Bars Dec 09 16’
- UPC Code for Essential Everyday Peanut Almond Dark Chocolate Protein Bar DEC 07 16 is updated to 4130304541 (previously 4130304341)
