Nuts distributed to Publix, Dollar Tree stores in Georgia recalled for Listeria concerns

C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK

No one has reported getting sick, but two types of Planters nuts sent to Georgia distribution centers for Publix and Dollar Tree have been recalled over concerns of potential Listeria contamination.

Hormel Foods Sales LLC is voluntarily recalling specific lots of 8.75 oz cans of Planters Deluxe Lightly Salted Mixed Nuts and 4 oz packages of Planters Honey Roasted Peanuts, according to a release from the company and the FDA Friday.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause "serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems," the release said.

The recalled items were produced at one of Hormel Foods's facilities in April, according to the company's release, and were shipped to Publix distribution warehouses in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina and to Dollar Tree distribution warehouses in South Carolina and Georgia. The company does not know the potential source of the contamination but is investigating.

'There have been no reports of illness related to this recall to date," Hormel Foods said, "and all retailers that received the affected product have been properly notified."

Which Planters nuts are being recalled?

Two varieties of Planters nuts were recalled on May 3, 2024, due to potential Listeria contamination.
Two varieties of Planters nuts were recalled on May 3, 2024, due to potential Listeria contamination.

The recall applies to:

  • 4 oz packages of Planters Honey Roasted Peanuts with the UPC 2900002097 and a "Best If Used By" date of 04-11-25

  • 8.75 oz cans of Planters Deluxe Lightly Salted Mixed Nuts with the UPC 2900001621 and a "Best If Used By" date of 05APR26

"No other sizes, varieties, or other packaging configurations of Planters brand products are included in this recall," the company said.

Were the recalled nuts sold in Georgia?

According to the FDA release: "the products were shipped to Publix distribution warehouses in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina and to Dollar Tree distribution warehouses in South Carolina and Georgia."

What do I do if I bought some of the recalled Planters nuts?

If you bought either of these items, you can throw them out or return them to the store where you bought them for a full refund, Publix said in a release.

If consumers have questions, Hormel Foods said they may contact Foods Customer Relations via email here, via chat at https://www.planters.com/ or at 1-800-523-4635, Monday-Friday, 8–11 a.m. and 2 –4 p.m. Central Time, excluding holidays.

What is Listeria?

Listeria monocytogenes are bacteria that can infect people with something called listeriosis that is usually mild, according to the CDC, but can spread beyond the intestines to cause fetal loss or newborn death in pregnant people and sepsis (infection of the bloodstream), meningitis or encephalitis (infection of the brain).

Infection during pregnancy results in fetal loss in about 20% of cases and newborn death in about 3% of cases, the CDC said. Listeria also commonly affects adults 65 years and older and people with weakened immune systems.

"Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea," Hormel Foods said in the release.

The CDC estimates that Listeria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Planters recall includes peanuts, mixed nuts sold at Publix, Dollar Tree

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