Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Outbreaks & Recalls,Salmonella on March 21, 2024
Another Trader Joe’s recall is announced. This time for Low Sodium Cashews that may contain the harmful bacterial pathogen, Salmonella.
Why does this store have so many recalls? It all comes down to how they privately label their products.
But first, let’s talk about the recall.
Trader Joe’s announced a recall for their Trader Joe’s private label of 50% Less Sodium Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews on March 17, 2024. The FDA published the announcement on March 18, 2024.
The product was made by Wenders LLC of Dublin, California and includes four different lots.
This recall was initiated following routine sampling by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) during import. At least one of the recalled lots revealed the presence of the harmful bacterium, Salmonella.
Product recall includes Trader Joe’s Nuts – 50% Less Sodium Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews with SKU Number 37884 with country of origin listed as India or Vietnam.
Recall:
Trader Joe’s Nuts – 50% Less Sodium Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews (SKU 37884)
Lot: T12139 Best Before: Feb 21, 2025
Lot: T12140 Best Before: Mar 01, 2025
Lot: T12141 Best Before: Mar 08, 2025
Lot: T12142 Best Before: Mar 10, 2025
Recalled Product was sold in the states of Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Louisianna, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregan, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Washington at Trader Joe’s locations.
No reports of illness have been associated with this recall to date.
The recall indicates that routine sampling revealed the presence of Salmonella bacteria in at least one of the recalled lots. This bacterium can cause a potentially serious illness known as salmonellosis if consumed.
Some people may experience only mild symptoms, while others can become very sick. In some cases, infection can be fatal.
Symptoms of salmonellosis have a fairly wide incubation period – the time between exposure to the bacteria and initial onset of symptoms. Most people will start showing symptoms somewhere between 6 hours and 6 days after exposure to Salmonella bacteria.
Exposure usually occurs when a person consumes food that is contaminated with Salmonella. However, in some cases, exposure can come from the environment. Touching animals or contaminated surfaces and then touching your face, mouth, or eating without washing your hands first can also cause infection.
Salmonellosis symptoms usually involve diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Symptoms often resolve within about a week (with a range between 4 and 7 days).
Most people do not need specific treatment to recover from salmonellosis. Usually only those who have severe illness or are at risk of having severe illness are prescribed antibiotic treatment. In some cases, however, illness may become so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized.
Stay hydrated and monitor your symptoms. Do not hesitate to reach out to your doctor if symptoms become severe.
Call your healthcare provider if you have:
In some cases, salmonellosis can cause long-term health conditions. Reactive arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome may last for several months, even years in some people. Chronic salmonellosis has been associated with gallbladder and colon cancer.
If this Trader Joe’s recall seems like déjà vu, it might be due to the sheer number of recalls associated with the store.
In early February, they got caught up in the Rizo-Lopez Foods, Inc cheese recall. So many private labels were recalled following that giant supplier recall, so they were not alone. They recalled several salads, salad dressings, and frozen meals that used the recalled cheese as an ingredient.
That month a foreign material recall was also issued. This time for their Chicken, Lentil & Caramelized Onion Pilaf
On March 2, the chain recalled over 61,000 pounds of steamed chicken soup dumpling products due to potential contamination with foreign material, specifically “hard plastic from a permanent marker pen.” That is very specific. While it is a Trader Joe’s recall announcement, CJ Foods manufacturing Beaumont Corporation, a Beaumont, California establishment was listed as the manufacturer.
Other recalls included another foreign material recall last year where metal was found in multigrain crackers and cookies recalled due to potential contamination with rocks.
As you walk around the store, you notice that just about all of the product that Trader Joe’s sells has their name on it. Everything from Trader Joe’s sugar and salt to Trader Joe’s ice cream and cleaning products. Nearly everything boasts the Trader Joe’s brand.
It’s their thing.
But do they actually make all of these products.
The answer to that is a resounding “NO!”
The California-based tycoon orders most of their products from third-party manufacturers. Think PepsiCo, Snyder’s-Lance, and others. These companies agree to sell some of their products under the Trader Joe’s label, and the firm will resell it at a discounted price. Often at around 37% below name brand pricing.
That is the draw of the company. Trader Joe’s products taste like name brand products, but at a lower price.
But what are these brands? Can you guess?
Can you guess what the name brands are for the popular Trader Joe’s products? This is the source of much speculation across the Internet.
Both suppliers and Trader Joe’s are contractually obligated to keep the agreement a secret. Neither party will reveal the true manufacturer of these beloved products.
One way very dedicated Trader Joe’s fans have tracked down the true identity of some of their Trader Joe’s labeled favorites is through recall information. Both products are listed on the recall announcement with the same lot number. Coincidence? I think not!
This is how Trader Joe’s fans discovered Wonderful Pistachios brand supplies Trader Joe’s pistachios and Tribe Mediterranean Foods at one time supplied Trader Joe’s hummus.
According to crowd sourced information, Trader Joe’s Pretzel Slims taste and look exactly like Snack Factory’s Pretzel Crisps and Tate’s Bake Shop cookies sure do seem identical to Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Chip Cookies.
The Naked company is rumored to supply many of the Trader Joe’s juice smoothies based on ingredients list and nutritional information, however in blind taste tests, participants noticed a difference in the taste. Whereas other private labeled items are a dead ringer for the unofficially associated name brands.
Have you become sick from eating a recalled Trader Joe’s product? You may have a legal case.
The experienced Salmonella lawyers at The Lange Law Firm, PLLC have represented many families with Salmonella recall cases. Their knowledgeable team has recovered millions of dollars to help families and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
Call (833) 330-3663 or email here for a free consultation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)