The Recall Desk
CriticalFDA (Food)·F-2186-2015·Announced 2015-05-20

Trader Joe's Raw Walnuts Recalled for Potential Salmonella Contamination

Trader Joe's is recalling specific lots of raw California walnuts due to potential Salmonella contamination. Consumers should check their packages for the listed UPCs and lot numbers.

What this means for you

Highest-severity recall. Risk of serious injury or death is documented or strongly suspected. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The agency classification is FDA Class I, and the source text explicitly states that Salmonella can cause 'serious and sometimes fatal infections,' meeting the criteria for a Critical severity score.

Plain-English summary

Trader Joe's Company is recalling specific 16-ounce packages of raw California walnuts and organic raw walnuts. The recall covers five product varieties, including Raw California Walnut Pieces, Halves & Pieces, Baking Pieces, Premium Walnut Halves, and Organic Raw Walnut Halves & Pieces. The products are packaged in clear bags with UPC codes printed on the back, and best-by dates and lot numbers are located on the back of the packages for the California Walnut products and on the front for the Organic products.

The recall is being conducted because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The FDA notes that Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. In healthy persons, infection often results in fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

The affected products were distributed nationwide to specific states, including California, Nevada, Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Texas, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Tennessee, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, and Florida. There was no foreign distribution. Consumers should check their packages for the specific UPC codes and lot numbers listed in the recall notice and dispose of the products if they match.

The recalled product

Product
Trader Joe's Nuts Raw California Walnut Pieces NET WT. 16oz. (1 LB) 454g UPC 00373685 Trader Joe's Nuts Raw California Walnut Halves & Pieces NET WT. 16 OZ (1 LB) 454g UPC 00943338 Trader Joe's Nuts Raw California Walnut Baking Pieces NET WT. 16 OZ (1 LB) 454g UPC
Manufacturer
Trader Joes Company
Category
Food — Nuts
Hazard

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Lot numbers (13)

  • GU4349
  • GU4344
  • GU4351
  • OCT 16 2015
  • OCT 17 2015
  • OCT 20 2015
  • OCT 21 2015
  • NOV 17 2015
  • NOV 18 2015
  • NOV 19 2015
  • NOV 20 2015
  • NOV 28 2015
  • DEC 01 2015

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

The notice also names 38 states specifically:

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