ucm491101Ashland Food Co-op is recalling Organic Raw Macadamia nuts because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Ashland Food Co-op (AFC) sold the affected Organic Raw Macadamia nuts in random weight bags between Jan. 5 and February 4. The nuts have a one month shelf life if refrigerated and were packaged in clear cellophane bags of random weights with an AFC bulk label. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. “We initiated this recall because we were notified by our supplier, Hummingbird, of the bulk Organic Raw Macadamia nuts recall,” according to the recall notice. Consumers who have purchased affected product under the AFC bulk label between Jan. 5 and Feb. 4 are advised not to consume them.   (To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)