Cacao Nibs have been recalled for possible E. coli risks, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has announced. FunFresh Foods, Inc. of San Clemente, California, is recalling a single lot of its 6-ounce packages of FunFresh Foods™ World Berries™ Organic Cacao Nibs over potential contamination with the Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteria (E. Coli O157:H7). […]
Cacao Nibs have been recalled for possible E. coli risks, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has announced.
FunFresh Foods, Inc. of San Clemente, California, is recalling a single lot of its 6-ounce packages of FunFresh Foods™ World Berries™ Organic Cacao Nibs over potential contamination with the Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteria (E. Coli O157:H7).
Approximately 500 packages of the potentially contaminated cacao nibs were distributed from April 12-17, 2012 from the recalled lot. Distribution was made to Arkansas, Arizona, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Minnesota, Missouri, Massachusetts, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.
Of the 500 packages distributed, 263 have been pulled from retail stores.
The 6-ounce pouch bears the World Berries™ logo. The Organic Cacao Nibs bear UPC 632474929022, lot code 161104, and use by date 04/14. This information is laser etched on the vertical edge of the product’s back panel.
No illnesses have been reported, to date, in connection with this product; however, it can take some time from ingestion of a contaminated product for manifestation of symptoms to occur.
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea; dehydration; and, in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors, and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to develop an infection from food borne pathogens. Some people can develop a serious form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), which is likeliest to occur in young children and the elderly and can lead to very serious kidney damage, and even death.
The potential for contamination was identified through FunFresh Food’s audit testing of the cacao nibs.
The firm is advising consumers not to consume the recalled cacao nibs and to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund or contact the firm to arrange for a full refund and retrieval of the recalled product. FunFresh Foods can be reached, toll-free, from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Pacific Time (PT), at 1.800.232.8619.
