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American Pecan Recalls 1 lb Bags

By Dan Flynn and Suzanna Schreck

The Yancey, TX-based American Pecan Co. Saturday recalled one-pound bags of Pecan Pieces in small, medium, and large sizes, because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The one-pound bags of pecans were sold to walk-up customers at American Pecan's retail outlet in Yancey, and through mail orders to customers in Texas, New York, and Massachusetts.

The bagged pecans consist of Ziploc-type bags labeled with: "PECAN PIECES (Small, Medium, or Large) Ingredients: Shelled Pecans: Repacked by: American Pecan Co. P.O. Box 151 Yancey, TX 78886 Net weight 1-Lb. (16 oz.) 454 g. Might contain Pecan shells."

There are no codes associated with the products.

No illnesses have been associated with the recall.

The recall was as the result of a routine sampling by the Food and Drug Administration, which revealed that the finished products contained Salmonella bacteria. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

Consumers who have purchased 1 lb. bags of PECAN PIECES are urged to dispose of the products and contact Rey Elizondo at American Pecan Co. for further instructions at 1-800-364-9053. Elizondo will be available 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., CST, Monday through Friday.

The Salmonella bacterium is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms of  Salmonella infection include fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

On occasion, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical help immediately.

Full post as published by Food Safety News on February 28, 2010 (boomark / email).