From: FDA-DIV. OF FED-STATE RELATIONS
[mailto:DFSR@ORA.FDA.GOV] FDA TALK PAPER FOR IMMEDIATE
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- FDA Press Office FDA ALERTS CONSUMERS OF RECALL OF CERTAIN GERMACK BRAND ALMONDS DUE TO POTENTIAL CONTAMINATION FDA is alerting consumers that Germack Almond brand raw whole almonds are being voluntarily recalled by the Germack Pistachio Co. of Detroit, Michigan due to the possibility of contamination with Salmonella Enteritidis. The product is packaged in one pound packages that bear the Germack Pistachio Co. label, with code dates of 040806, 040807, 040819, 040824, 050105, 050421 and 050422. The company has fully cooperated with FDA. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal 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. Germack Pistachio Co. distributes this product in Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Connecticut, and Florida. This recall is in response to a voluntary recall by Paramount Farms of California on Whole Brown Natural Raw Almonds based on over 20 possible cases of illness in Alaska, Arizona, Oregon, Washington and Utah, as well as one case in Michigan. While no Salmonella has been found in any Germack products or in any Paramount products, the company is working with FDA to do assure quality and safety of its products. The product should not be consumed but rather returned to the store of purchase for a full refund. For further information, call Germack Pistachio Co. at 800-872-4006, between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30. ########################### |