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 shipped to multiple US states and international destinations.
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 5/5 (Critical).
Highest-severity recall. The hazard can cause serious injury or death. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.
Our severity reasoning: The agency classification is 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. Additionally, the hazard involves Listeria monocytogenes, a high-risk pathogen.
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 production dates from February 20 to April 26, 2016. A second expansion occurred on May 31, 2016, to include product produced at the Crookston, MN facility with production dates from May 31, 2015, through January 31, 2016.
The affected product is identified as Chili Limon Sunflower Kernel in 5 kg / 11 lb. boxes, with a total quantity of 8,266,463 lbs. The specific lot number is 8L5M16. The product was shipped to various US states, including AR, CA, CO, IL, IN, KY, MN, NC, ND, NH, OH, PA, SD, TX, WA, WI, CT, FL, GA, IA, KS, LA, MA, MI, NJ, NY, OR, MD, MT, OK, and VA. It was also shipped to Canada, Guatemala, Great Britain, and Mexico.
Consumers who have purchased these specific products should stop using them and contact SunOpta for further instructions. The recall is being conducted due to the potential presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a pathogen that can cause serious illness.
The recalled product
- Product
- 2nd EXPANSION 5/31/2016 Product shipped OUS only. Chili Limon Sunflower Kernel. 5 kg / 11 lb. box. 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#: 8L5M16
Distribution
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.
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