Highest FDA health warning issued for recalled nuts: ‘Reasonable risk of death’

The FDA has issued the strictest recall yet due to fears of contamination of popular nuts, which the FDA says poses a “reasonable risk of death.”

California-based Stutz Packing Company has recalled 16-ounce packages of shelled walnuts after the products were found to contain listeria, a deadly bacteria. This led to a recall of deli meats that has killed three people.

The FDA has classified the recall as a Class I situation, which is “a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that use of or exposure to a nonconforming product will result in serious adverse health consequences or death.”

The company recalled more than 2,500 boxes last month after routine sampling of the walnuts revealed the finished products contained listeria.

Stutz Packing Company has voluntarily recalled 1 pound packages of its shelled walnuts

Routine sampling of the walnuts revealed that the end products contained listeria

According to Stutz Packing Company, the nuts were distributed to warehouses in Texas and Arizona, from where they are then distributed to food banks, schools, shelters and prison food systems.

The company has halted production and distribution of the products and will continue to investigate the contamination with the FDA.

No other walnut products from the company were affected and no illnesses have been reported.

Stutz’s recall came just days after Boar’s Head Provisions Co. recalled more than 7 million pounds of meat and poultry products after a sample also tested positive for listeria.

Three people have died from Listeria infections have been linked to Boar’s Head meat sold nationwide at stores like Target, Walmart and other grocery stores.

Last week, the CDC announced that the latest victim was from Virginia. The other deaths occurred in Illinois and New Jersey.

Since the last update in late July, nine new cases have been reported, bringing the total to 43. All 43 people are hospitalized.

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause listeriosis, a bacterial infection that can lead to serious illness and death.

Warning signs of listeria infection include nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and constipation. These symptoms typically develop within a few hours to three days after eating contaminated food.

According to the FDA, more than 90 percent of patients are hospitalized.

In severe cases, the bacteria can spread to the nervous system and cause meningitis (inflammation of the fluid surrounding the brain) and sepsis.

Both can be fatal.

People with weakened immune systems and those over 60 are at particularly high risk of the infection, officials say.

Pregnant women are also at greater risk of miscarriage if they become infected with listeria, because the bacteria can spread to the fetus.

It is estimated that in the US, about 1,600 people are infected with listeria each year, and about 260 people die from it.