Sunflower Seed And Salad Recalls Come Among Listeria Concerns

Editor’s note: amid some branding confusion, Papa John’s International Inc. has reached out to the Inquisitr with a statement.

“The recall referenced in this story does not involve Papa John’s International, Inc., its franchisees, or any of its products. The recall involves a completely different and unrelated company – Papa John’s Salad and Produce – based in Tolleson, Arizona. None of our products, including any salads, are affected by this recall.”

Growing concern over potentially contaminated sunflower kernels has resulted in numerous recalls from retailers who use leading non-GMO and organic seed and vegetable supplier, SunOpta. After a limited recall for its sunflower kernel products produced at its Crookston, Minnesota facility between the dates of February 1, 2016 and February 19, 2016, SunOpta expanded their recall to include products produced February 20, 2016 through April 21, 2016. Now, the supplier — who provides products to a number of US vendors including Planters, TreeHouse Foods and Papa John’s Salad and Produce from Tolleson, AZ (not to be confused with Papa John’s International Inc.) — has announced it will voluntarily expand their recall once again.

“SunOpta is committed to ensuring consumer safety and providing quality products and ingredients to customers. The Company has completed its root cause analysis and is working with food safety experts to implement corrective and preventative measures. In an abundance of caution, SunOpta is voluntarily extending the period during which it is recalling a limited number of sunflower kernel products that have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.”

Papa John’s Salads and Produce, who uses SunOpta’s products for its Kale Salad with Chicken, was originally warned of the expanded recall on May 19, 2016. The supplier alerted the popular that the sunflower kernel products used in its salads and produce products could possibly have Listeria monocytogenes. According to the Food Poisoning Bulletin, Papa John’s Salads and Produce of Tolleson, Arizona, passed along this warning to consumers who may have purchased one of its 373 pounds of ready-to-eat salads with chicken and advised them not to eat it.

The recalled products…have the establishment number “P-40280” inside the USDA mark of inspection, are 7.5-oz. plastic packages of “Signature Café Citrus Kale Salad with Chicken – Dress with Lemon, Salt and Pepper” with “Use By” dates of May 17 through May 24, 2016 and UPC code of 2113008148.

Listeria fears behind Papa John's Salads and Produce recall https://t.co/v68j0eq7wk pic.twitter.com/SNfAiMiS1R

— Digital Journal (@digitaljournal) May 22, 2016

The food recall has also impacted consumers who may have purchased Dakota Style Foods’ sunflower products. The Clark, South Dakota-based company sells its products across the nation in retail stores and voluntarily recalled 15,158 cases of sunflower kernels. All were supplied by SunOpta.

The products involved are Dakota Style 16 ounce Roasted and Salted Sunflower Kernels, 3.5 ounce Roasted and Salted Sunflower Kernels, 32 ounce Roasted and Salted Sunflower Kernels, 4 ounce Savory Bacon Sunflower Kernels, 8 ounce Savory Bacon Sunflower Kernels and 4 ounce Salted Caramel Sunflower Kernels that were shipped by Dakota Style Foods, Inc. between February 15, 2016 and May 17, 2016. The affected lots are identified by lot codes 8B6M02, 8B6M09, 8B6M17, 8B6M18, 8B6M24, 8B6M25, 8C6M02, 8C6M08, 8C6M10, 8C6M28, 8C6M31 and 8D6M01. The consumer packages are plastic packages bearing the company logo and product name with the lot code located on the back right hand panel of the consumer package.

According to the United States’ Food and Drug Administration, information regarding more of the recalled products that could be affected by the organism has also gone out to consumers across the US.

The recalled products, were sold in the following states AZ, CA, ID, MT, ND, NM, OR, WY. At Albertsons and Safeway they were called Oriental Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing, sold in 10 oz. containers with the UPC 7827960269 and best by dates 5/18, 5/ 19, 5/20, 5/21, 5/22, 5/23, 5/24 and 5/25. At Bashas they were called Oriental Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing, sold in 10 oz sizes with UPC 78279602691 and best by dates 5/18, 5/ 19, 5/20, 5/21, 5/22, 5/23 and 5/24. And at Food 4 Less they were called Oriental Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing, sold i 13 oz. packages with the UPC 78279602840 and best by dates5/18, 5/ 19, 5/20, 5/21, 5/22, 5/23, 5/24 and 5/25.

Although no related illnesses have been confirmed at this time, consumers should beware of contaminated products. The listeria organism is known to cause serious infections in children, elderly, and individuals with a weakened immune system; at times, it can be fatal. Listeria is also a major threat to pregnant women and can cause miscarriages or stillbirths. In otherwise healthy people, symptoms may arise for a short period of time and may include a high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

If you are a consumer and would like more information regarding the recall, contact SunOpta customer service at 888-886-4428.

[Photo by Pixabay | Pezibear]