Before you chomp on those Trader Joe's raw cashews you just bought over the weekend, stop and check the barcode number. Early on Sunday, the specialty grocery store chain had issued a recall in almost 30 states across the US. The reason for the recall is none other than a suspected salmonella contamination.
The Trader Joe's cashew recall involves 16 oz. non-resealable bags. Such bags have a barcode number 00505154 and a best before code of 07.17.2016TF4. A statement regarding the recall was posted on the store's website.
"We have been alerted by our supplier of Trader Joe's Raw Cashew Pieces (barcode number 00505154) that there is a possibility that one specific lot with the following code may be contaminated with salmonella," read the statement.
States where the product was distributed include Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C. and Wisconsin.
As of now, no illnesses have been reported. However, the company has instructed consumers to check the barcode of their purchased product. A full refund will be issued to patrons who had bought the specific product.
For precautionary measures, consumers who had purchased the bag and had consumed its contents are advised to seek medical attention. Symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. These usually occur from 12 to 72 hours after infection. While the symptoms are not as life-threatening to healthy adults, salmonella can cause worse illnesses for young kids, the elderly, and individuals with a weak immune system.
Trader Joe's recall for their cashews is not a first for the company. In March 2015, a recall for the store chain's walnuts was reported. The product was recalled also due to a possible contamination of salmonella.
