Dakota Style Foods, Inc. of Clark, South Dakota has expanded its voluntary recall to include 15,158 cases of sunflower kernels because it has the potential to be contaminated with 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 sunflower kernels were distributed to 34 customers nation-wide and are sold through retail outlets.
The products involved are Dakota Style 16 ounce Roasted and Salted Sunflower Kernels, 3.5 ounce Roasted and Salted Sunflower Kernels, 32 ounce Roasted and Salted Sunflower Kernels, 4 ounce Savory Bacon Sunflower Kernels, 8 ounce Savory Bacon Sunflower Kernels and 4 ounce Salted Caramel Sunflower Kernels that were shipped by Dakota Style Foods, Inc. between February 15, 2016 and May 17, 2016. The affected lots are identified by lot codes 8B6M02, 8B6M09, 8B6M17, 8B6M18, 8B6M24, 8B6M25, 8C6M02, 8C6M08, 8C6M10, 8C6M28, 8C6M31 and 8D6M01. The consumer packages are plastic packages bearing the company logo and product name with the lot code located on the back right hand panel of the consumer package.
No illnesses have been confirmed to date. The expanded recall resulted from notice by SunOpta, one of Dakota Style’s sunflower kernel suppliers, that SunOpta expanded a voluntary recall of certain lots of sunflower kernels. Dakota Style has identified the lots that may have included ingredients received from SunOpta and is actively working to return all affected products.
Consumers who have purchased Dakota Style 16 ounce Roasted and Salted Sunflower Kernels, 3.5 ounce Roasted and Salted Sunflower Kernels, 32 ounce Roasted and Salted Sunflower Kernels, 4 ounce Savory Bacon Sunflower Kernels, 8 ounce Savory Bacon Sunflower Kernels or 4 ounce Caramel Sunflower Kernels with lot code 8B6M02, 8B6M09, 8B6M17, 8B6M18, 8B6M24, 8B6M25, 8C6M02, 8C6M08, 8C6M10, 8C6M28, 8C6M31 or 8D6M01, located on the back right-hand panel of the consumer package, are urged to return the package to the place of purchase for a full refund.
