California’s FunFresh Foods Inc. Saturday recalled a single lot of World Berries ™ Organic “Cacao Nibs”  for possible Escherichia coli (E coli) O157:H7 contamination.   No illnesses have yet been associated with the recall.

The San Clemente-based company said it issued the recall  after consulting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  

About 500 six-ounce packages of the recalled lot of “Cacao Nibs,” were distributed from April 12 to 17.  Fun-Fresh Foods had already retrieved 263 before it even announced the recall.

Product was distributed to health and natural food retail stores located in the following states:  AK, AR, AZ, CA, CT, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NM, OH, OK, OR, SC, SC, TN, TX, WA, WI, and WV.

The organic Cacao Nibs involved can be recognized by the World Berries™ logo and UPC code 632474929022, the affected lot code 161104 and the use by date  of 04/14 laser etched on the vertical edge of the back panel. 

The E. coli O157:H7 pathogen  can cause a diarrheal illness that sometimes evolves into Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a potentially life-threatening kidney disease.  Fresh Foods was conducting finished product testing when it discovered the potential contamination.

It suspended production and distribution so FDA and the company could investigate the problem.  Fresh Food is confident it isolated the contamination to the single lot.

Consumers  can obtain a refund at either the place of purchase or by calling the company between Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time at 1-800-232-8619.