Elgin company recalls potentially contaminated nut products

Elgin-based John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc., is voluntarily recalling a couple of nut products that might be contaminated with salmonella.

The recall is for Fisher 8-ounce Chopped Walnuts and Fisher 8-ounce Pecan Cookie Pieces packaged in plastic bags. There have been no illnesses related to the products, which were distributed online and in several states, according to the Kane County Health Department.

The voluntary recall is the result of a routine sampling conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in retail stores, which revealed that a package of Fisher Chopped Walnuts contained salmonella.

Anyone who recently purchased these items with the "best by dates" of 10/31/15, 11/01/15, 11/03/15, should not consume the product and return it to the store for a full refund or replacement. The "best by dates" can be found on the back of the bags.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis, per the health department.

For more information about the recall, call (800) 874-8734 from 8:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. weekdays.