The Salmonella problem dogging the Oregon hazelnut industry has now jumped the Columbia River and crossed over into Washington State.  It has also gone retail.

Burnt Ridge Orchards Inc. recalled 98 pounds of shelled hazelnuts because they might be contaminated with Salmonella.

The shelled hazelnuts that are subject to recall were sold Nov. 17th to Dec. 13th at the Olympia Farmer’s Market in Olympia, WA. They were packed in 8 oz and 16 oz zip lock plastic bags. This recall does not apply to hazelnuts sold in the shell.

Burnt Ridge Orchards Inc. is based on Onalaska, WA

No illnesses associated with any of the hazelnut recalls have been reported.

The recall was as the result of routine sampling of product by the FDA at the company who cracks the hazelnuts for Burnt Ridge Orchards. Inc.

The processing company has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

Consumers who have purchased the shelled hazelnuts are urged to discard the hazelnuts and contact Burnt Ridge Orchards, Inc. for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Burnt Ridge Orchards, Inc. at 360-985-2873, Monday – Friday, between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Oregon hazelnut growers have recalled almost 200,000 pounds.

Whole Foods Market has joined the recall, asking customers to return organic raw hazelnuts (filberts) sold in bulk through its stores in California, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

The nuts were part of a batch that was contaminated with Salmonella. The company is also recalling non-organic dry roasted hazelnuts (filberts) sold in bulk through its stores in California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, and non-organic raw hazelnuts sold in bulk through its stores in Oregon and Washington. These hazelnuts should not be consumed. No illnesses have been reported at this time.

The potential for Salmonella contamination was discovered during a routine product sampling at the plant where the hazelnuts were shelled. Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Whole Foods Market customers who have purchased the recalled product since Oct. 12 in the states listed above may return the item for a full refund.