The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume raw shelled walnuts described below because these products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The affected raw shelled walnuts, product of USA, were sold from certain retail stores during the specified time period. This is related to the recall of raw shelled walnuts imported and distributed in bulk by Amira Enterprises Inc., Montreal, Quebec.

Kim’s Mart, 519-523 E Broadway, Vancouver, BC

Triple A Market, 1626 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC

This is an ongoing food safety investigation. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is investigating a multi-provincial outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in collaboration with provincial health authorities as well as federal health partners including the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada.

Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria my cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea. Some people may have seizures or strokes and some may need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis. Others may live with permanent kidney damage. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

The named retailers are voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

However, according to Aaron Derfel of the Montreal Gazette, “Quebec E. coli death not linked to walnuts – Agency still suspects nuts caused outbreak.”

And, other news services claim “Experts question role of walnuts in E. coli cases.”

More to come I am sure.