WASHINGTON, March 23 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to eat peanuts or peanut-derived products sold by Westco Fruit and Nuts Inc.
The FDA said peanuts and peanut-containing products produced by the Irvington, N.J., company might be contaminated with salmonella bacteria, since the peanuts in the Westco products came from the Peanut Corporation of America, which has been involved in a nationwide Salmonella typhimurium outbreak.
The FDA said consumers having peanut-derived products made by or distributed by Westco should dispose of them by placing them in a plastic bag with bleach, sealing the bag and placing it in a trash bin. Consumers should then wash their hands thoroughly.
At least 691 people had been infected with Salmonella typhimurium in 46 states as of March 15, with the bacterial infection possibly contributing to nine deaths, the FDA said.
Other recent peanut-product nationwide recalls included:
--The Frankly Natural Bakers of San Diego: Vegan decadence-brand peanut butter cookies and brownies and Wheat-Free Energy-brand coconut cookies and pecan energy squares.
--The Lehi Valley Trading Co. of Mesa, Ariz.: Various peanut products and trail mixes sold under the brand names Lehi Valley, Lehi Valley Country Store and Arizona Snack Co.
The Humboldt Creamery of Fortuna, Calif: Nutty Supreme-brand cones in lot Nos. 28308 and 28408, sold between Oct. 10, 2008, and Jan. 1, 2009.
The FDA's list of recalled peanut products, including lot codes, expiration dates and other information, is available at: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/salmonellatyph/recalls.html.
