From: FDA-DIV. OF FED-STATE RELATIONS [mailto:DFSR@ORA.FDA.GOV]
Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2004 3:03 PM
To: Sperandio, Linda (DPH)
Subject: RECALL NOTIFICATION

Barcelona Nut Company Recalls Barcelona Nuts Due to the Possibility of Contamination with Salmonella Enteritidis

Contact:
Barcelona Nut Company
1-800-296-6887

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 2, 2004 - Barcelona Nut Company, 502 S. Mount Street, Baltimore, MD 21223 is conducting a voluntary recall on its distribution of raw whole and diced almonds packaged as Barcelona Nuts, due to the possibility of contamination with Salmonella Enteritidis. The recall covers the following products, all with code dates of 081204 through 052505:

* 2.5 oz Cashew, Almond, Raisin Mix - UPC 0303002-00108 * 12 oz Cashew, Almond, Raisin Mix - UPC 2000109-21002 * 5 oz Cashew, Almond, Raisin Mix - UPC 0490109-13009 * 10 oz Almonds - UPC 3800101-35001 * 2.5 oz Almond & Raisin Mix - UPC 0303001-08918 * 2 oz Natural Almonds - UPC 0200101-08919 * 3 oz California Mix - UPC 0307002-59125 * 12 oz California Mix 2007002-21031 * 3 oz Mojo Mix - 0304202-08905

Salmonella is an organism, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weak 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.

Barcelona Nut Co. distributes these products nationally.

This recall is in follow up to a voluntary recall announced last week by the producer of the almonds, Paramount Farms of California, based on over 20 possible cases of illnesses associated with the almonds. The cases were reported in California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Utah, New Mexico, Arkansas, Tennessee, Massachusetts and Michigan. We are working with the FDA to assure that all potentially contaminated almonds are removed from the marketplace and that all consumers are notified of the recall.

The raw almonds should not be consumed but rather returned to the point of purchase for a full refund. For further information, call Barcelona Nut Co. at 1-800-296-6887 between 8AM and 4PM EDT.

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