Recalls and questions grow because of E. coli O157 in walnuts in Canada

The creepy, crawly recall of walnuts and walnut-containing products continues in Canada because of E. coli O157:H7.

But no one is saying how the E. coli O157:H7 was detected, whether it is genetically the same strain as the E. coli in walnuts that sickened 13 Canadians and killed one earlier this year, and there has been nary a peep from California where the walnuts were apparently grown.

After declaring on Sept. 1, 2011 there were “no confirmed illnesses,” the Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced expansions to recalled walnut products on Sept. 6, 7 and 8 (actually 9, about two hours ago), 2011, and has switched the lingo to, “There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

In the latest notice, CFIA says Johnvince Foods of Toronto is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace for example, see right), but yesterday mentioned Andersen and Sons Shelling, Vina, California, USA.

Earlier this year, 14 people were sickened after eating E. coli-contaminated walnuts distributed by Montreal-based Amira Enterprises.

One patient in Quebec with an underlying medical condition died during the outbreak, which also affected people in Ontario and New Brunswick.

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About Douglas Powell

A former professor of food safety and the publisher of barfblog.com, Powell is passionate about food, has five daughters, and is an OK goaltender in pickup hockey. Download Doug’s CV here. Dr. Douglas Powell editor, barfblog.com retired professor, food safety 3/289 Annerley Rd Annerley, Queensland 4103 dpowell29@gmail.com 61478222221 I am based in Brisbane, Australia, 15 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time