Listeria spurs recall of Nutty Infusions cashew nut butters

BY NEWS DESK

The government has not named the supplier that produced Listeria-tainted cashew butter sold by NOW Health Group Inc. under its Ellyndale Nutty Infusions brand, but production has been suspended and two flavors of the nut butter are under recall nationwide.

“Consumers who have purchased the recalled Nutty Infusions should stop using the product immediately and return it to place of purchase for a full refund. Receipt is not required for refund,” according to the recall notice.

The Bloomingdale, IL-based NOW Health Group Inc. is recalling Ellyndale Nutty Infusions:

• “Roasted Cashew Butter” with the Product Code E0540, Lot# 2125155; and
• “Ginger Wasabi Cashew Butter” with the Product Code E0541, Lot# 2124118.

It was sold online and distributed to retailers across the country, according to the recall notice posted on the Food and Drug Administration’s website.

Anyone who has Ellyndale Nutty Infusions cashew butter in their homes should check the codes on the labels and jars to determine if the product is included in the recall.

People who have eaten the recalled cashew butter and developed symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctors about the possible exposure so proper diagnostic tests can be performed.

Those who have eaten the recalled product and are not currently ill should monitor themselves for symptoms of Listeriosis in the coming weeks. It can take up to 70 days after exposure for symptoms to develop.

Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Otherwise healthy people may have only short-term symptoms, but serious and sometimes fatal infections can develop in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Listeria infection also can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

“Evidence of contamination was noted after a routine FDA inspection of the Nutty Infusions supplier. The production of the product has been suspended while FDA and NOW continue to investigate the source of the problem,” according to the recall notice, which is dated May 4 but not posted until May 5 by FDA.

“NOW has provided information on this voluntary recall to all its retailers who purchased this product and has encouraged retailers to make every effort to contact their customers to facilitate the return of affected products.”

Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact NOW’s Customer Service Department by phone at 888-NOW-FOODS (888-669-3663).

© Food Safety News