The recall of a batch of roasted macadamia nuts has been given the highest risk classification.
Andersen & Sons Shelling, Inc. pulled its product Macadamia Nuts, Dry Roasted Style 6 25 lbs, off shelves on May 16.
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The firm said this decision was made because of listeria monocytogenes contamination, a rare infection that usually goes away on its own but can make some people seriously ill. Newsweek has contacted Andersen & Sons Shelling, Inc. for further information.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued its risk category last Friday, giving it a Class I.
Class I is used in a "situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death."
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This is the most serious category, before Class II and Class III. Class II refers to the "situation in which the use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote."
Class III is "a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences."
In total, 2,850 lbs of nuts were recalled, after two or more people got in touch with the company via email, phone, letter, or visit.
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The batch has a lot code of "26950-1-2-1," with the expiration date: "4/12/2025."
Listeria monocytogenes, also known as listeriosis, is an infection that can cause a fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
More serious cases see people struggle with headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.
People who are at risk of these more serious cases, which can sometimes even end in death, usually include pregnant women, newborn babies, people with conditions that weaken their immune systems (such as cancer, diabetes, liver disease or kidney disease)
The FDA warns: "Listeriosis can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women and their newborn babies, leading to serious complications with their pregnancy, including miscarriage and stillbirth.
"Babies born with a listeriosis infection may develop severe health complications that require immediate medical attention, lead to lifelong health problems, or result in death.
"Women who suspect they have symptoms of listeriosis (muscle aches, nausea, stiffness in neck, headaches, etc.) should seek medical care immediately and tell their health provider what they ate."
Previous listeriosis outbreaks "have been linked to raw, unpasteurized milk and cheeses, ice cream, raw or processed vegetables, raw or processed fruits, raw or undercooked poultry, sausages, hot dogs, deli meats, and raw or smoked fish and other seafood."
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Jordan King is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. Her focus is on human interest-stories in Africa and the ... Read more
