Massive Listeria Outbreak Causes Recall On Shelled Walnuts

Walnuts and listeria monocytogenes definitely don't mix. Stutz Packing Co. issued a recall of one pound packages of shelled walnuts due to possible contamination from the pathogen. The original announcement was posted on July 19, 2024, and the Food and Drug Administration categorized it as a Class One recall the following month, per Newsweek.

These large, clear plastic bags of shelled walnuts were sent to food bank distribution centers in Arizona and Texas "which further distribute to other distribution centers that can go to consumers, or smaller [food] banks, school lunch programs, shelters, or prison food systems," according to the FDA. If you find that you have shelled walnuts from Stutz Packing Co. at home or at work, look for lot numbers "24171 1" or "24172 1" on bags with the following universal product code: 7 15001 00908 1. The UPC code is the number found below the black and white scannable barcode.

Anyone with concerns can reach out to the company by phone at (760) 230-9547 or directly to Stutz Packing Company representative Sasha Morales by email at smorales@stutzpacking.com. Otherwise, just get rid of the nuts or bring the bag back to the place you got it from.

There have not been any reported illnesses associated with Stutz Packing Co. shelled walnuts at the time of writing, but listeria monocytogene can make you seriously ill. Listeria bacteria can cause minor issues commonly associated with food poisoning but can also lead to a more serious infection called listeriosis. Reactions can include confusion, fever, flu-like symptoms, headache, loss of balance, seizures, and stiff neck. Elderly adults, people that are pregnant, newborns, and those that are immunocompromised are at the greatest risk of life-threatening illness.

A few major outbreaks happen each year, with deli meats, fresh cheeses, enoki mushrooms, bagged salads, and ice cream being some of the commonly affected items. Fortunately, the reaction to listeria is mild in most cases, so much so that, sometimes, people do not even realize they are sick. However, since reactions can potentially be severe, listeria recalls should be taken seriously. For example, a July 2024 deli meat listeria outbreak lead to illness, with at least 43 people getting sick and three confirmed fatalities.