E. coli in Walnuts Recall in Canada
Possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination of shelled walnuts sold in Canada has prompted an expanded recall as Canadian food and health agencies continue to investigate a multi-provincial outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections..jpg)
The shelled walnuts recalled this week by three retailers in London, Ontario and Calgary, Alberta, are product of the United States. This is an expansion of a previous public warning issued last week. about shelled walnuts and products containing walnuts distributed by Amira Enterprises Inc. of Montreal.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume raw shelled walnuts described in a recall announcement because the products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The CFIA said it is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.
In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been investigating a hazelnut E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to Oregon-grown shelled hazelnuts. As of April 1, 2011, eight persons infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli serotype O157:H7 were reported from Minnesota (3), Wisconsin (4) and Michigan (1).
Laboratory testing conducted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture on in-shell hazelnuts recovered from a patient's home identified E. coli O157:H7 matching the outbreak strain by DNA analysis.
