WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections linked to Pine nuts imported from Turkey and sold in Wegmans supermarkets has infected a total of 42 individuals in six U.S. states, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The illnesses, which began on or after August 20, 2011 with the outbreak strain, has been identified in the states of Arizona (1), Maryland (1), New Jersey (2), New York (26), Pennsylvania (8), and Virginia (4). Two patients were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported, reports the CDC.
Among 30 outbreak victims for whom information is available, 19 reported consuming Turkish pine nuts or products containing these pine nuts in the week before becoming ill. The prepared foods in which the contaminated pine nuts were an ingredient were identified as Caprese salad or asparagus with pine nuts, sold at Wegmans stores.
The CDC has advised consumers not to eat Turkish pine nuts that were purchased from bulk bins at Wegmans stores between July 1, 2011 and October 18, 2011. Any foods prepared with the recalled product, including pesto, salads, and baked goods are to be avoided.
Salmonella Enteritidis is a bacteria, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Symptoms of Salmonella infection usually appear 12 to 72 hours after consuming a contaminated food.
Meanwhile, the Rochester, New York-based Wegmans Food Markets Inc. has recalled about 5,000 pounds of Turkish Pine Nuts sold in bulk food departments of most Wegmans stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and Maryland between July 1 and October 18, 2011 due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled Turkish pine nuts were imported from Turkey by Sunrise Commodities of Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.
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