For details on how macadamia growers are trying to control Salmonella contamination, please see “Hawaii’s macadamia nut industry faces Salmonella challenge”

A variety brands of macadamia nut products, in individual snack-size packages and in bulk bags up to 25 pounds, are under recall by Marathon Ventures Inc. because of possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled nuts are packaged under several brands, including HyVee, Shurfine, Western Family, Market Pantry, Pear’s Gourmet, Nutpro C.C. and Cash-Wa Distributing, according to the recall notice on the Food and Drug Administration’s website. A full list of recalled products and packaging photos is available there. Marathon Ventures Inc., based in Bellevue, NE, distributed the products, which were sold nationwide at retail and via mail orders from July 2, 2015, through Feb. 3 this year. A routine, random test by the FDA detected Salmonella in macadamia nuts from Marathon Ventures. “Consumers who have purchased the items listed above should not consume this product and should return it to the store of purchase for a full refund or replacement,” according to the recall notice.

“Consumers may direct their questions regarding the recalled items to Marathon Ventures Inc. at 402-934-8223 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST or via e-mail at qa@marathonventuresinc.com.” Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people infected with Salmonella often experience fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea that may be bloody, and abdominal pain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis. (To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)