Update 4/10/09

As of today, just one more recall has come in from our Florida region.

• Nuts about Florida brand pistachios

Update 4/9/09

Some additional items have been added to the pistachio recall list from yesterday.  We expect more information to roll in as our suppliers identify if they have used affected pistachios.  We thank you all for your patience.

• Sahale Snacks Ksar Nut Blends*, 6 – 5 oz [Best By Dates: 10/16/2009, 10/30/2009, 11/20/2009, 11/27/2009 & 12/25/2009]
• Sahale Snacks Ksar Nut Blends, 12 – 2 oz [Best By Dates: 10/16/2009, 10/30/2009, 11/20/2009, 11/27/2009 & 12/25/2009]
• Lake Champlain Triple Nut Chocolate Bars [Lots: 08275, 08294, 08295, 08354, 09026, 09027, 09063]
• Lake Champlain Triple Nut Chocolate Squares [Lots: 08302, 08310, 08337, 09063 & 09083]
• Lake Champlain Chocolate Journeys [Lots: 08288, 08287, 08301, 08309, 08326, 09009, 09029 & 09035]

* Includes: Sahale Snacks Ksar Pistachios/Pistaches with Sesame Seeds, Pepitas, Fig + Moroccan Harissa. Avec Graines De Sesame, Graines De Citrouille, Figue + Harissa Marocain (5oz)

Update 4/8/09

As of 6pm EST Wednesday, April 8, the following pistachio products have been recalled/withdrawn:

• 365 Pistachios dry roasted & salted (In-Shell) 16oz [Lot Codes: 07/08/2009 GL1, 07/08/2009 GL2, & 11/27/2009 GL1 only]
• Flavor Tree In Shell Salted Pistachios 16oz [Lot Codes: Best Before dates of 08/12/2009, 07/21/2009 & 10/16/2009]
• Various Chukar Cherry Company items: Dried Fruit & Nuts Berry & Pistachio 100% Natural Energy Mix.
• Häagen-Dazs Pistachio ice cream (removed as a precautionary measure by Häagen-Dazs)
• Whole Foods Market Snack Naturally Pistachios, R/S in shell 11oz
• Whole Foods Market Prepack Roasted and salted pistachios in shell, Raw deshelled pistachios, and Chili Lemon Pistachios – Note Whole Foods Market Garlic Onion Pistachios not affected
• Whole Foods Market Prepack Raw deshelled pistachios (no Shell)
• Bulk Raw Shelled pistachios
• Various Bulk and Prepack pistachio items
• Various Prepack pistachio items
• Various bulk bin items as a precaution

For more information on bulk and prepack items affected by this recall, please contact your local store as these items vary from store to store.

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**Update on 3/10/09**

Added a few new items to the recall list.

**Update on 3/6/09**

Added a few new items to the recall list.

**Update on 3/2/09**

The FDA has now posted information on their website about PCA’s Texas facility testing positive for the same strain of salmonella as their Georgia facility. Here’s an excerpt from their statement:

Unlike the PCA plant in Blakely, Georgia, which principally manufactured peanut butter and peanut paste, the PCA Texas facility principally blanched, split, granulated and roasted peanuts for distribution to various businesses.  The Texas facility’s activities included the production and distribution of peanut meal, a byproduct of the peanut granulation process used to make peanut butter and peanut paste.  The Texas DSHS is currently notifying all first-level customers of PCA Texas products from January 1, 2007 forward that all products are subject to recall.  FDA will audit 100 percent of those PCA customers to facilitate the removal of product from the marketplace.

This is an ingredient-driven outbreak; that is, potentially contaminated ingredients affected many different products that were distributed through various channels and consumed in various settings. The recalled products made by PCA, such as peanut butter and peanut paste, are common ingredients in cookies, crackers, cereal, candy, ice cream, pet treats, and other foods. Consumers are advised to discard and not eat products that have been recalled. To help consumers identify affected products, FDA has initiated a searchable database of recalled products that is updated daily or as additional recalls are identified. To date, more than 2,100 products in 17 categories have been voluntarily recalled by more than 200 companies, and the list continues to grow.

We will continue to follow this situation and update the list below with recalled products that are sold in our stores.

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Jump directly to the FDA Product Recall List to search for peanut product recalls, or call CDC-INFO at 1-800-232-4636 for more information.

*Updated 2/20/09*

Added the following vendor products to the list:

71.    TrueNorth Brand Peanut Crisps <Withdrawal> (FL, MA, MW, NA, NE, SO).
72.    Crispy Cat Roasted Peanut candy bars
73.    Beneficial Foods/Nature’s Candy <Withdrawal>:

• Nature’s Candy Peanut Butter Krinkles (Bulk) (MW, RM, SW)
• Nature’s Candy Karob Krinkles (Bulk) (MW, RM, SW)
• Beneficial Foods Omega-3 Uplift Bars (MW, RM, SW)

74.    Marich Confectionery items:

• Milk Chocolate Peanuts (10lb, BULK)   (Some Regions)
• Milk Chocolate Peanuts (8oz Bags)   (Some Regions)
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Toffee  – Unlikely we carry

75. EB Performance PB &Whey Protein Bites bars (FL Only)
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Jump directly to the FDA Product Recall List to search for peanut product recalls, or call CDC-INFO at 1-800-232-4636 for more information.

*Updated 2/16/09*

Several additions to recall

Erin Baker’s Original Breakfast Cookie – Peanut Butter (3oz)
Erin Baker’s Home-style Granola – Peanut Butter (Several Sizes)
Erin Baker’s Original Breakfast Cookie – Rocky Road (3oz)

Betty Lou’s Nut Butter Protein Balls

Sunridge Farms: Numerous items (not in all stores and many already pulled): Read the rest of this entry »

******Updated 2/16/09********

Please refer to our latest blog post for updates on the PCA recall.

******* Updated 2/10/09 5pm CST *******

Products added to recall list:

Erin Baker’s Home-style Granola – Peanut Butter flavor
SunSpire Organic Dark Chocolate Crunchy Peanut Clusters Read the rest of this entry »

******Updated 2/16/09********

Please refer to our latest blog post for updates on the PCA recall.

******Updated 1-29-09*******

The Peanut Butter Corporation of American (PCA) has now expanded their recall to include all types of peanuts and peanut products processed in its Blakely, Georgia, facility since January 1, 2007. This greatly expands the scope of this health issue and every manufacturer of peanut-containing foods, including us, will need to re-examine their products.

Please note: While new research is being conducted, we will not be able to answer questions about specific peanut related products. Please refer to our new blog post for updates to the situation as they become available. Additionally, our answers to previous comments on this blog post about the recall are not necessarily accurate any longer given the new developments.

*****Updated 1/28/09 a.m.*****

Added the following products to the recall list:

Uncle Eddies Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate-Chip Cookies
Uncle Eddies Individual Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies
Uncle Eddies Individual Organic Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies
SunRidge Chocolate Energy Bar (sold in bulk)
SunRidge Energy Nuggets
****Updated 1/24/09 a.m.****

Last night we announced a recall of our Whole Foods Carob Energee Nuggets in four states (California, Oregon, Washington and Nevada) because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. No illnesses have been reported to date, but our product supplier, Marin Foods, notified us of the potential for contamination of Salmonella. The product comes in a nine-ounce, clear plastic package with a label reading “Whole Foods Carob Energee Nuggets” and bears a UPC of 999482-000274. All lot codes are being recalled. If you purchased Whole Foods Carob Energee Nuggets, please return them to the store for a full refund.

***Updated 1/23/09 a.m.***

Added additional products to recall list:

Dancing Stars’ Chunks of Energy Carob/Hawaiian Spirulina and High Country Gorp

Can Do Kid Chocolate Crunch and Cookies & Cream Bars

**Updated 1/22/09 p.m.**

Clarification: Many manufacturers receive their supply of ingredients from multiple vendors. Therefore, not all products listed below are recalled in total, but rather specific lot or batch numbers made on certain dates. Please link through to our Product Recalls page to get more specifics directly from each manufacturer.

*Updated 1/22/09 a.m.*

Added additional products to recall list: ThinkThin Dark Chocolate and Chocolate Mudslide Bars

You’ve probably heard by now that due to cases involving salmonella poisoning, the FDA has warned U.S. consumers “to postpone eating commercially-prepared or manufactured peanut butter-containing products and institutionally-served peanut butter until further information becomes available about which products may be affected.”

Before we get into exactly what this means and what Whole Foods Market is doing about it, we wanted to share the latest safety recall information on products sold in our stores.

Recalled products we sell:

*Note: Many manufacturers receive their supply of ingredients from multiple vendors. Therefore, not all products listed below are recalled in total, but rather specific lot or batch numbers made on certain dates. Please link through to our Product Recalls page to get more specifics directly from each manufacturer.

• Can Do Kid Chocolate Crunch and Cookies & Cream Bars *** added 1/23/09
• Clif Bars: Crunchy Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch, Peanut Toffee Buzz and Variety Pack
• Clif Builder’s Bar: Peanut Butter and Variety Pack
• Clif Kid ZBaR: Peanut Butter and Variety Pack
• Dancing Stars’ Chunks of Energy Carob/Hawaiian Spirulina and High Country Gorp *** added 1/23/09
• Health Valley Organic Peanut Crunch Chewy Granola Bars
• JamFrakas Peanut Butter BlissCrisp snack bars
• LÄRABAR Peanut Butter Cookie
• Luna Bars: Nutz Over Chocolate, Peanut Butter Cookie and Mini’s Variety pack
• MOJO Bar: Honey Roasted Peanut, Mixed Nuts, Mountain Mix, and Peanut Butter Pretzel
• MOJO Dipped: Chocolate Peanut, Peanut Butter & Jelly, and Fruit & Nut
• Nature’s Path Optimum Energy Bars, Peanut Butter Flavor
• SunRidge Chocolate Energy Bar (sold in bulk) *** Added 1/28/09
• SunRidge Energy Nuggets *** Added 1/28/09
• ThinkThin Dark Chocolate and Chocolate Mudslide Bars *** Added 1/22/09
• Uncle Eddies Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate-Chip Cookies *** Added 1/28/09
• Uncle Eddies Individual Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies *** Added 1/28/09
• Uncle Eddies Individual Organic Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies  *** Added 1/28/09
• Whole Foods Carob Energee Nuggets *** Added 1/23/09
• ZonePerfect Chocolate Peanut Butter bars
• ZonePerfect Peanut Toffee bars

We will update this list as more information becomes available. Customers may return these products to their local Whole Foods Market store for a full refund.  Please note there are other products being recalled that are not listed here because we do not carry them in our stores. The FDA has a searchable database of all recalled peanut butter products.

While the FDA is a United States regulatory body, the individual companies issuing recalls may be recalling their products from Canada as well. Please refer to each company directly for their specific recall information.
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We encourage you to join in the forum discussion instead of posting a comment on this blog entry.

Studies about Bisphenol-A (BPA), the plastic monomer used to make polycarbonate plastic, have been getting a ton of media attention lately, and our customers have had quite a few questions about it. While we certainly don’t have all the answers, we wanted to share with you what the research currently shows and what we, as a company, are doing to address the issue.

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Edmund LaMacchia is our Global Vice President of Procurement.

We know our customers put a great deal of trust in us and because of this recent beef recall; we feel we have let you down. But first I’d like to tell you that no one is more disappointed than I am. Our own trust in our beef supplier was misplaced in this instance.  We have worked for the last 28 years to establish second-to-none quality and safety standards. With our excellent track record of providing the very best beef products over the years, we have never had a confirmed case of Coli 0157:H7 in our meat departments.

As soon as we learned of the possibility that a small amount of ground beef from our stores in two states could be related to nine people who became sick, we reacted quickly. While we searched for any direct link between the illnesses and meat from our stores – all tests of our beef have so far come back negative for E. coli – we determined it was important for the health of our customers to issue a voluntary recall of ground beef from multiple states that was purchased between June 2 and August 6, 2008.

So, how did this happen?  Read the rest of this entry »

Edited from an August 8, 2008 Press Release

In response to state and federal investigations into an E. coli outbreak, we’ve announced a voluntary multi-state recall of fresh ground beef sold between June 2 and August 6, 2008 because of a concern that it may be contaminated with E. coli 0157:H7 bacteria.

We’ve been informed that the beef in question apparently came from Coleman Natural Beef whose Nebraska Beef processing plant was previously subject to a nationwide recall for E. coli 0157:H7 contamination. At the time of the previous recall, we received assurances from Coleman Natural Beef that no product delivered to our stores was linked to the recall. Those assurances are now in question and we are actively investigating the issue. At this time, no Coleman Natural Beef fresh ground beef products from the Nebraska Beef processing facility are available in any Whole Foods Market stores.

“While Coleman Natural Beef is a relatively small supplier for Whole Foods Market, we are extremely disappointed that we must now question Coleman’s assurances,” said Edmund Lamacchia, global vice president of procurement. Neither Coleman Natural Beef nor Nebraska Beef are owned or operated by Whole Foods Market.

At this time, although the illnesses allegedly linked to Whole Foods Market are in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, we chose to broaden our voluntary recall to the following states out of an abundance of caution: Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Massachusetts, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D. C., Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Canada.

The recalls come as a result of investigations into confirmed cases of E. coli 0157:H7 contamination in Virginia, Ohio, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. The investigations include supermarkets Dorothy Lane and Kroger, as well as beef suppliers and processors such as Coleman Natural Beef and Nebraska Beef, and are still ongoing as state and federal agencies work to determine the source of the outbreak. As a precaution, on August 6th, we voluntarily pulled shipments of beef from Coleman from our stores nationwide. No beef associated with the recall is currently on any of our meat counter shelves. Customers can continue to shop our meat departments with confidence.

We are asking customers who may have ground beef purchased between June 2nd and August 6th (check your freezer) to dispose of the product and return to the store with the packaging or receipt for a full refund.

“At Whole Foods Market, one of our top priorities is consumer safety, and we go to great lengths to ensure the safety and quality of our meats,” said Lamacchia. “We are currently cooperating with the USDA, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Montgomery County Health Department in Pennsylvania as part of a routine multi-state investigation into these confirmed cases of E. coli 0157:H7 infection.”

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued warnings about the targeted beef. We will continue to work with state and federal authorities as this investigation progresses, and look forward to providing our customers with the high quality products that they have come to expect.

Break out the pico de gallo and chips! The FDA is advising consumers that raw jalapeño and Serrano peppers grown in the United States ARE NOT connected with the current Salmonella St. Paul outbreak and consumers can eat them without concern of contamination. So we are back in business offering ONLY U.S. grown jalapeño and Serrano peppers. In our prepared foods, we are using U.S. raw jalapeño and Serrano peppers or canned, pickled or cooked varieties, which have been okay all along – only raw peppers were of concern. We remain in contact with our producers and are studying all government updates to stay on top of this issue.
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