Bacterial pathogens on in-shell nuts and in shelled nuts and nut butters : April 1, 2012 – March 31, 2015

Abstract

A targeted survey analyzed 2,400 in-shell nut samples, 2,612 shelled nut samples, and 1,142 nut butter samples for bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) (nut butters only), and generic E. coli. No E. coli O157:H7, L. monocytogenes or generic E. coli were found in any of the samples. Salmonella was found in five in-shell nut samples. The CFIA conducted appropriate follow-up activities. All five Salmonella positive samples resulted in recalls of the affected products. No illnesses were reported in association with any of the Salmonella positive samples.