Lipari Foods of Warren, MI is recalling Raw Sunflower Seeds, Roasted Sunflower Seeds and Snack Mixes, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. 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.
Raw Sunflower Seeds, Roasted Sunflower Seeds, and Snack Mixes were distributed from April 5th 2013 to June 11th 2013 to manufacturers and retailers in the following states: Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana.
In total there are 52 items affected by this recall. Please see attached documentation for complete list of products including UPC and lot codes. Detailed information will be mailed out to each store affected by the recall.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recall was the result of a routine sampling program by the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) which revealed that retail packaged raw sunflower seed products contained Listeria monocytogenes. These findings led to an investigation by Lipari Foods concluding that bulk raw sunflower seeds purchased from a supplier was the source of the contamination and that these sunflower seeds had also been used in other snack mix products and may have also resulted in cross contamination to roasted sunflower seeds and snack mix products during production. Lipari Foods has ceased the procurement, processing, and distribution of the product as the FDA and Lipari Foods continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.
Consumers with questions may contact the company at (586) 447-3500 Monday to Friday from 8AM to 5PM EST.
Source: FDA