Recall: Trader Joe's pulls raw walnuts from store shelves due to Salmonella threat

(WITI) -- Trader Joe’s is recalling raw walnuts because these products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

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.

The recalled Trader Joe’s raw walnuts were distributed to Trader Joe’s stores nationwide.

The products are packaged in clear plastic bags with the UPC Codes printed on the back. For the raw California walnut products, the “BEST BY” dates and lot numbers can be found printed on the back of the packages. For the organic raw walnut products, the “BEST BY” dates can be found printed on the front of the packages.

All potentially affected raw walnut products are as follows:










































UPC Product Description “BEST BY” Dates Lot Numbers
00373685 Trader Joe’s Nuts Raw California Walnut Pieces – 16oz 12/2015 GU4345
00943338 Trader Joe’s Nuts Raw California Walnut Halves & Pieces – 16 oz 12/2015 GU4346
GU4349
GU4356
00519342 Trader Joe’s Nuts Raw California Walnut Baking Pieces – 16 oz 12/2015 GU4350
00519328 Trader Joe’s Nuts Raw California Premium Walnut Halves – 16oz 12/2015 GU4343
GU4344
GU4351
GU4352
00586627 Trader Joe’s Organic Raw Walnut Halves & Pieces – 12oz OCT 15 2015
OCT 16 2015
OCT 17 2015
OCT 20 2015
OCT 21 2015
NOV 17 2015
NOV 18 2015
NOV 19 2015
NOV 20 2015
NOV 28 2015
DEC 01 2015
N/A



The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by an outside company contracted by the FDA revealed the presence of Salmonella in certain packages of Trader Joe’s raw walnuts.

Out of an abundance of caution, Trader Joe’s removed all lots of these products from store shelves and will suspend sale of these products while the FDA and the manufacturers involved continue their investigation into the source of the problem.

To date, Trader Joe’s has not received any illness complaints related to these recalled products.

Customers who have purchased any of this recalled raw walnut product are urged not to eat it, and to dispose of the product or return it to any Trader Joe’s for a full refund. Customers with questions may contact Trader Joe’s Customer Relations at (626) 599-3817 .