E S Foods of Woodbury, NY is recalling 3700 cases of the following Meal Breaks items containing individually packed Sunrich Natural Sunflower Kernels (Roasted & Salted), Net Wt 1 oz., because the sunflower seeds have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes:

Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The Meal Breaks were distributed in CA, KS, KY, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA and WI to foodservice distributors, food banks, and school meal programs, between the dates of April 21 and May 13, 2016.

Products are packed in a master case, and that master case contains the product code number, product description, “Best Used By” Date, and lot code.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The potential for contamination was noted after we received notification from SunOpta, our sunflower kernel supplier, pertaining to positive Listeria monocytogenes results.

Customers who have purchased any of the affected products must contact E S Foods to arrange for product retrieval. If customers have further distributed any of these items, please immediately contact your accounts, advise them of the recall situation, and have them return their outstanding recalled stocks to you and maintain and share your record of the retrieval of these items. Customers with questions may contact E S Foods at 516-682-5484, Monday – Friday, 8am - 5pm, ET.

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