Listeria fear: Kroger and Giant Eagle also recall sunflower seed products

By Vince Bamford

- Last updated on GMT

It is feared contaminated seeds may contain Listeria monocytogenes. Photo: iStock - KatarzynaBialasiewicz
It is feared contaminated seeds may contain Listeria monocytogenes. Photo: iStock - KatarzynaBialasiewicz

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A raft of additional products have been recalled by manufacturers and retailers over concerns they may contain sunflower seeds contaminated with the bug that causes listeriosis.

The day after Treehouse Foods​ voluntarily recalled dozens of products including trail mixes and snack bars, businesses including Kroger, Trader Joe’s and Giant Eagle are also recalling foods. Like Treehouse, they were alerted by suppliers that sunflower seeds in the products may be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes.

The Kroger Co​ has pulled products including Kroger Sunflower Salad Toppers, Kroger Sunflower Kernels, and Kroger Cranberry Delight Trail Mix sold in stores including Kroger, Jay-C, Dillons, Bakers, Gerbes, King Soopers, City Market, Fry's, Ralphs, Food 4 Less, and Smith's. (For product details see below.)

The retailer has initiated its customer recall notification system, which alerts customers who may have purchased recalled products.

Certain lots of Mountain Thins 'Trail Mix' flavor supplied by Brown & Haley​ of Tacoma, Washington, are also being voluntarily recalled over fears they may contain the contaminated seeds. The trail mix had been distributed to retail stores nationwide between March 7 and April 25. (For product details see below.) 

What is Listeriosis?

Listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The disease primarily affects older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A person with listeriosis usually has fever and muscle aches, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.

Ingredients and packaged products supplier SunOpta ​yesterday recalled two sunflower products, and today retailer Giant Eagle​ announced it was recalling bulk sunflower seeds supplied by SunOpta.

The seeds had been sold in the bulk section of four Pittsburgh area Market District​ stores, the Carmel Market District store, and four northeast Ohio area Giant Eagle and Market District stores.

Also affected by concerns over contaminated sunflower seeds is a 9.3-oz Trader Joe’s​ branded Broccoli Slaw & Kale Salad with White Chicken Meat supplied by Californian business Ghiringhelli Specialty Foods.

The problem was discovered when the company’s vendor of sunflower seeds notified the company the product might have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes​,” said Ghiringhelli in a statement. “There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products​.”

Treehouse Foods has today (May 5) revised its list​ of affected products.

Kroger products recalled

Brown & Haley product recalled

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1 comment

I know someone who was sick from these

Posted by sandy,

My sister got very sick after eating some kroger ones, so yes it has made people sick.

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