The Recall Desk
Agency classClass IOur severity:SevereFDA (Food)·F-2263-2016·Announced 2016-09-21

SunOpta Recalls Sunflower Kernels for Potential Listeria Contamination

SunOpta is recalling specific lots of sunflower kernels due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recall has been expanded to include products from multiple states and international markets.

The agency’s classification

FDA (Food): Class I

Class I is a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

This is the agency’s own classification, taken from its notice. The severity score below is our assessment, not the agency’s. How recall classes work

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall is classified as FDA Class I, which indicates a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to the violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. The presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a high-risk pathogen, further supports this severity level.

Plain-English summary

SunOpta Food and Grain, Inc. is recalling sunflower kernel products that have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall was initially expanded on May 18, 2016, to include roasted sunflower kernel products with production dates from February 20 to April 26, 2016. A second expansion occurred on May 31, 2016, to include product produced at the company's Crookston, Minnesota facility, with production dates ranging from May 31, 2015, through January 31, 2016.

The affected product is identified as DAKOTA STYLE Ranch sunflower kernel in 50 lb. plain bags. The specific lot number for the second expansion is 8K5M18. The total quantity involved in this expansion is 8,266,463 lbs. The product was distributed in the United States, including states such as AR, CA, CO, IL, IN, KY, MN, NC, ND, NH, OH, PA, SD, TX, WA, and WI. Additional states included in the expansion are CT, FL, GA, IA, KS, LA, MA, MI, NJ, NY, OR, MD, MT, OK, and VA. The product was also distributed to Canada, Guatemala, Great Britain, and Mexico.

Consumers who have purchased these products should check their inventory for the specific lot number and production dates listed above. If the product matches the recalled description, it should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase. No illnesses or injuries have been reported in connection with this recall.

The recalled product

Product
2nd EXPANSION 5/31/2016 DAKOTA STYLE Ranch sunflower kernel 50 lb. plain bag. Product of USA, Manufactured by SunOpta, Crookston, MN
Manufacturer
SunOpta Food and Grain, Inc.
Category
Food — Nuts and Seeds
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 (1)

  • 2nd EXPANSION 5/31/2016 PLot#: 8K5M18.

Distribution

Distributed in 31 states:

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 16 recalled by SunOpta Food and Grain, Inc. under a single FDA (Food) recall action. The agency files each product separately, so the size of the action is not visible from this page alone.

See all 16 products in this recall →

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