Packing Nuts....Controlling Salmonella?

Nuts and Salmonella.....over the month of April, there have been a number of recalls involving nuts.  The recalls are due to FDA testing and finding samples positive for Salmonella.  There have been no reported illnesses. 

FDA has a concern about salmonella in nuts, so companies packing nuts need to have controls in place or better be ready to use that recall plan.

FDA Recall Notices

Waymouth Farms, Inc. Recalls Raw Pine Nuts Because of Possible Health Risk - April 27, 2015 – New Hope, MN – Waymouth Farms, Inc. of New Hope, MN is recalling RAW PINE NUTS in various sizes, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella....
The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the FDA revealed the presence of Salmonella in a 4 ounce package.
Production of the Pine Nuts has been suspended while Waymouth Farms, Inc. continues their investigation as to the source of the problem.

Superior Nut & Candy Co., Inc. Recalls Pine Nuts Because of Possible Health Risk - April 20, 2015 – Chicago, IL – Superior Nut & Candy Co., Inc. is recalling 4 ounce packages Pine Nuts because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella....
The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the FDA revealed the presence of Salmonella in a 4 ounce package.
Production of the Pine Nuts has been suspended while the FDA and Superior Nut & Candy continue their investigation as to the source of the problem.

Hines Nut Company Voluntary WALNUT HALVES AND PIECES Due to Possible Health Risk Recalls - April 17, 2015 – Hines Nut Company, Dallas, TX, today announced a voluntary recall of WALNUT HALVES & PIECES, Lot Number 6989.  The product was supplied by GOLD STATE NUT COMPANY of Biggs, CA, and packaged by Hines Nut Company. There is a possibility these nuts may be contaminated with Salmonella.
The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by an outside company contracted by the FDA revealed the presence of Salmonella in a package of the product.

Whole Foods Market Voluntarily Recalls Packaged Raw Macadamia Nuts Due To Possible Health Risk - April 17, 2015 – Whole Foods Market is voluntarily recalling packaged raw macadamia nuts due to possible Salmonella contamination.
No illnesses have been reported to-date. Based upon routine testing conducted by an FDA-contracted laboratory, it was determined that the raw macadamia nuts tested positive for Salmonella.

Texas Pecan Company Voluntarily Recalls Macadamia Nuts and Products Containing Macadamia Nuts Because of Possible Salmonella Contamination - April 9, 2015 – Dallas, TX – Texas Pecan Company Inc. of Dallas, Texas, is voluntarily recalling the items stated below; (refer to Table in Paragraph 3), because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella,.....
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem, but we voluntarily ask that you discontinue use of the product, stated above, per date of this notification.
The potential for contamination was noted after some routine sampling tests by the FDA revealed the presence of Salmonella in the Macadamia Nuts received from our supplier in November and December 2014.
Production of the product has been suspended while the FDA and our supplier continue their investigation as to the source of the problem.

Texas Star Nut and Food Co., Inc. Expands Its Voluntary Recall to Include Additional Macadamia Nut Products Due to Recall Notification from their Supplier of Possible Salmonella Contamination
April 7, 2015 – Boerne, Texas – Texas Star Nut and Food Co., Inc. of Boerne, Texas is expanding its March 20, 2015 recall to now include the macadamia nut products