A Serious Nut Recall: Stutz Packing Company's Shelled Walnuts Affected By Listeria

A nut recall has been issued the highest possible risk classification by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In July, California-based Stutz Packing Company voluntarily recalled packages of its Shelled Walnuts after they were found to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause food poisoning. The item has now been updated to a Class I risk level by the FDA.

A Class I recall, the highest risk level, is issued when there is a "reasonable probability" that the use of or exposure to a product could "cause serious adverse health consequences or death." This situation highlights the importance of food safety and the critical role regulatory bodies play in protecting public health.

Two lot codes are included in the recall: 24171 1 and 24172 1. Both have a UPC code of 7 15001 00908 1. Affected items were distributed in Arizona and Texas only, with a total of 2,538 cases being recalled. Consumers should be aware of these codes and check their products to ensure they are not affected by this serious health risk.

The product comes in clear plastic packaging with a red-outlined white box printed in the center of the bag, weighing 1 pound each. The recall was the result of routine sampling which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria. Stutz has ceased the production and distribution of this product as the FDA and Stutz continue their investigation. No other sizes, varieties, or packaging of Shelled Walnuts are included in this recall.

• Consumers are advised to throw away or return the affected products.
• Contact Sasha Morales at smorales@stutzpacking.com or call 760-230-9547 for inquiries.
• Vulnerable groups, including the elderly and pregnant women, are particularly at risk from Listeria contamination.

Listeria can cause illness in anyone who contracts it, but it is particularly dangerous to vulnerable groups, including the elderly and pregnant women. These foodborne illnesses can have severe health impacts including vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and, in severe cases, brain infections and blood infections. Michelle Anstey, a food safety expert from NSF, has emphasized that these illnesses can be especially dangerous for those who are immunocompromised.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 1,600 people in the U.S. get listeriosis each year, and about 260 of these individuals die. Bacterial contamination, including Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli, accounts for 21 percent of food recalls in the U.S. This underlines the importance of safety protocols within the food industry.