AUSTIN, TX. (January 23, 2009) — Whole Foods Market today announced a recall of its Whole Foods Carob Energee Nuggets in four states because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

The recalled products were distributed to Whole Foods Market stores in California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

Consumers who have purchased Whole Foods Carob Energee Nuggets are urged to return them to the store for a full refund. The product comes in a nine-ounce, clear plastic package with a label reading “Whole Foods Carob Energee Nuggets;” all lot codes are recalled. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-512-542-0656.  Consumers can read more information about products affected by the peanut butter recall on the Whole Foods Market blog at https://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/.

Whole Foods Market’s product supplier notified the Company of the potential for contamination of Salmonella. The action was taken after the Peanut Corporation of America, a company that supplies bulk peanut butter, issued a recall of the peanut butter used to make these Whole Foods Market bakery products.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), 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 (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.