Georgia Firm Recalls Pecans Due to Salmonella

A small Georgia firm is recalling pecan products after the state of Georgia tested and found product to be positive for Salmonella.

The recall was limited to one lot.  This would indicate that it was a lot specific issue in the heating step (blanching or roasting).  If this step was adequate, that would indicate an environmental issue.  If that were the case, one may expect to have contamination across multiple lots and then consideration would be made for recalling multiple lots.

As we know, Salmonella is an issue with nut products.  One reason is that the organism survives for long periods of times in dry environments, such as seen with typical nut roasting operation.  The other issue is that Salmonella has an increased heat resistance in the dry state.  While 160F or 165F is sufficient for eliminating Salmonella in beef or poultry, according the GMA Handbook for Safe Processing of Nuts (pg 40), temperatures of 180F - 190F are needed for blanching, while roasting requires temperatures greater than 248F.

FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm432479.htm
Georgia Company Recalls Certain Pecan Products Due to Possible Health Risk

Contact: Consumer: 770-207-6486

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — January 30, 2015 — Atlanta, Ga. — Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black is alerting Georgians to the recall of certain pecan products for potential health risk. The products were distributed only in the State of Georgia, directly to consumers at the retail level from the Stone Mountain Pecan Company, located in Monroe.

The Stone Mountain Pecan Company is recalling 540 packages of the “Pecanettes” sold in 8-ounce packages, because the product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, 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.

Based upon random sampling conducted by the GDA, it was determined the “Pecanettes” products tested positive for Salmonella. The products were sold in 8-ounce clear plastic packages, Lot code 4032A, with a “sell by date” of 12/30/15.

At this time, Pecanettes with lot number 4032A are the only products affected by this recall. To date, there have been no reports of illnesses associated with this recall.

Consumers who have purchased the Pecanettes are encouraged to return the product for a full refund. Consumers with questions or concerns may contact the company at 770-207-6486 between the hours of 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (EST), Monday through Friday.

This is one of several recalls impacting the State of Georgia this month. To view a comprehensive list of food and feed recalls affecting Georgia, please visit www.agr.georgia.gov/recalls.aspx. If this recall expands or additional details become available, the website will provide the most up-to-date information. Also follow the GDA on Twitter @GDAFoodSafety for recall alerts and food safety tips.