Salmonella causes cashew nut recall

(CNS): A brand of raw cashew nuts which are being sold in stores in the Cayman Islands have may have been contaminated with Salmonella, according to an alert issued by the US Food and Drug Administration. The Department of Environmental Health (DEH) said “Deep Raw Cashew Pieces” are on sale here and officials are warning the public not to eat this product. Food Safety officials from DEoH identified the product in Grand Cayman between 15 and 27 October and staff are currently contacting all wholesalers and local supermarkets, both here and in the Sister Islands, to ensure that all affected products are immediately removed from sale.

The recalled "Deep Raw Cashew Pieces” are sold in a 7oz, 14oz, & 28oz clear plastic package marked with UPC number on the rear of the package. The numbers that are of concern are:

UPC number for 7oz. is 011433133104
UPC number for 14oz. is 011433133111
UPC number for 28oz. is 011433133128

The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing conducted by the FDA and no illnesses have been reported to date in the United States in connection with the product but given the potential severity of salmonella the nuts are being recalled.

Salmonella is an organism that 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, diarrhoea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances the organism may get into the bloodstream, producing more severe illnesses such as infected aneurysms, endocarditis, and arthritis.

If you have eaten this product and are experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact your medical provider immediately.

For further information concerning local efforts, contact the DEH at 949-6696. For other details, visit the FDA website at www.fda.com