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Food recall warning

Certain bulk and prepackaged raw shelled walnuts may contain E. coli O157:H7 bacteria

Starting date:: April 4, 2011
Type of communication:: Recall
Alert sub-type:: Health Hazard Alert
Subcategory:: Microbiological - E. coli O157:H7
Hazard classification:: Class 1
Source of recall:: Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Recalling firm:: Les Entereprises Amira Inc.
Distribution:: National
Extent of the product distribution:: Retail
CFIA reference number:: 6318

Advisory details
Related AWRs
Media enquiries

Advisory details

Ottawa, April 4, 2011 - The public warning issued on April 3, 2011 has been amended to clarify brand information for the raw shelled walnuts sold from a bulk bin.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Amira Enterprises Inc. are warning the public not to consume certain bulk and prepackaged raw shelled walnut products described below because these products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

All raw shelled walnuts sold from bulk bins, all package sizes and all lot codes / Best Before dates of the following raw shelled walnuts and products containing walnuts are affected by this alert. The affected products were available for purchase from January 1, 2011, up to and including April 4, 2011. The raw shelled walnuts are imported from the USA.

Brand	Product
Distributed by Amira Enterprises Inc.	Raw shelled walnuts sold from a bulk bin*
Amira	Prepackaged raw shelled walnuts (Halves/Pieces/Crumbs)
Tia	Prepackaged raw shelled walnuts (Halves/Pieces/Crumbs)
Selection	Prepackaged raw shelled walnuts (Halves/Pieces/Crumbs)
Amira	Mistral Mix containing walnuts
Tia	Mistral Mix containing walnuts
Amira	Salad booster containing walnuts
Tia	Salad booster containing walnuts

* The distributor's name may not be marked on the raw shelled walnuts sold from the bulk bins.

Consumers who have purchased walnuts from bulk bins are advised to contact the retailer to determine if they have the affected product.

These products have been distributed in Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and Ontario. However, they may have been distributed nationally.

This is an ongoing food safety investigation. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is investigating a multi-provincial outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in collaboration with provincial health authorities as well as federal health partners including the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada.

Public Advisory: E. coli outbreak - At this time, the outbreak investigation indicates that several individuals have reported consuming raw shelled walnuts.

Amira Enterprises Inc., St. Laurent, QC is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.