ALERT: Risk of salmonella infection prompts immediate recall of popular snack food

A popular snack food is being recalled due to the presence of an illness-causing bacteria. 

According to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), a batch of Hosyaushka Sonnenblumenkerne geschält shelled sunflower seeds is being recalled due to the presence of salmonella. 

People infected with the bacteria typically develop symptoms between 12 and 36 hours after infection, but this can range between 6 and 72 hours.

The most common symptom is diarrhoea, which can sometimes be bloody, while other symptoms may include fever, headache and abdominal cramps.

The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days and the diarrhoea can occasionally be severe enough to require hospital admission. 

The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

Retailers are requested to remove the affected batch from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.

Wholesalers/distributors are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated batch and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to their retailer customers. 

Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batch.