Not every food recall hits mainstream media. Food recalls are issued by the Food and Drug Administration and sent to health departments nationwide within the affected area. Recalls cover all foods, pets foods, medicines and medical devices distributed within the United State.
Information on recalls is listed on the FDA’s website and provide great detail pertaining to the recalled item or items. Note that you may not connect the parent companies that are listed with the items they produce so you must scroll through the information. For example, Planters Sunflower Kernels is listed under the SunOpta recall dated June 8, 2016. Recently there has been large recall on sunflower seeds, granola bars, trail mixes, oils and butters all containing or made with sunflower seeds potentially contaminated with Listeria.
Listeria is a foodborne bacterial illness that can be serious for pregnant women and people with impaired immune systems. This particular recall continues to expand and should be taken seriously. While all retail establishments are notified of recalls, individuals should still take precautions to ensure something previously purchased is not impacted by the recall. Food recalls are listed on the Montgomery County Health Department Website Food Protection Page (http://montgomeryco.net/department/division.php?structureid=1867) as well as the Montgomery County Facebook page(https://www.facebook.com/MontCoHealth).
Food recalls and advisories specific to the state of Indiana can be found on the Indiana State Department of Health’s website — Food Protection Page (http://www.state.in.us/isdh/26890.htm). The Montgomery County Health Department works closely with local retail establishments to ensure the effected products have been identified and removed from shelves. Anyone who may have purchased a recalled item should contact the point of purchase to see what their return policy is for those items or dispose of them immediately. Individuals can also sign up for recall notifications through the FDA’s website.
