Giant Eagle supplier SunOpta has informed the company that sunflower seeds sold in the bulk section of four Pittsburgh area Market District stores have been voluntarily recalled due to possible Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) contamination.
The affected product was sold in the bulk foods sections of the Waterworks, Township of Pine, Shadyside and South Hills Village Market District locations with a PLU of 65167. It was available for purchase both loose within the bulk bin between February 15, 2016 and May 3, 2016, and in pre-packaged containers with sell by dates of August 1, 2016 through August 19, 2016. There are no reported illnesses to date associated with this recall.
Listeria monocytogenes is 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.
Customers who have purchased the affected product should dispose of it or return it to their local Market District store for a refund. Customers with questions may call Giant Eagle Customer Care at 1-800-553-2324 Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST.
In addition to this public communication regarding this recall, Giant Eagle initiated its consumer recall telephone notification process. The consumer recall process uses purchase data and consumer telephone numbers housed in the Giant Eagle Advantage Card® database to alert those households that purchased the affected product and have updated telephone contact information in the database.
