Canada, US come together after salmonella contamination threat, recall Jumbo Pumpkin Seeds

A major bacterial contamination threat in Canada has forced the country to order the recall of a famous brand of pumpkin seeds while a similar advisory has issued in the United States of America to. Health Canada, the department responsible for national health policy, issued a recall alert on May 7 notice of Jumbo Pumpkin Seeds, a famous brand by Advantage Health Matters company due to the risk of salmonella.

Jumbo Pumpkin Seeds are also sold in America and just a day later the US Food and Drug Administration, too, issued a recall notice.

The Health Canada alert notice, issued following a Canadian Food Inspection Agency finding, said consumers should not consume, use, sell, serve or distribute the recalled product, which is the Jumbo Pumpkin Seeds. "The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination," the notice stated.

Advantage Health Matters, an Ontario based company which specialises in selling organic food products under the Organic Traditions brand, has two different weight packets of Jumbo Pumpkin Seeds in its inventory - the 227 grammes and 445 grammes. The recall notice is for both the packets.

Health Canada advisory on salmonella

1. If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, contact your healthcare provider,"
2. Check to see if you have recalled products
3. Do not consume, serve, use, sell, or distribute recalled products
4. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased

"Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections. Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis," the recall order by Health Canada asserted.

While adding that the alert was issued following a recall in another country, Health Canada added that "there have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products."

In the US, the recalled item was sold in the states of New York, New Jersy and Virginia in retail stores as well as through mail orders.

Advantage Health Matters has suspended the production of Jumbo Pumpkin Seeds and launched an investigation to unearth the root case of infection.

The US FDA also asked customers who may have purchased the contaminated food item to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. They have also been advised to contact the Canadian company through email at [email protected].