PHOENIX, April 4, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (the "Company") is recalling Organic Black Peppercorns sold under the Sprouts brand name from all stores. This product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella , an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the elderly, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons 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 (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
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The recalled Organic Black Peppercorns were distributed to Sprouts Farmers Market stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah. No illnesses have been reported to date.
The product comes in a 2.12-ounce, clear glass jar marked with lot #3287 on the bottom of the container and with an expiration date of October 2016. Each container is identified with an individual label showing the Sprouts Farmers Market company logo, the description: Organic Black Peppercorns.
Sprouts Farmers Market initiated the recall after a sample taken during routine testing by the FDA revealed the presence of Salmonella in one lot of Organic Black Peppercorns. Upon learning of the sample result, the company immediately removed the following product from store shelves and initiated the process for its destruction:
| Brand | Full Product Name | Size/Weight | UPC Code | Lot Code |
| Sprouts Farmers Market | Organic Black Peppercorns | 2.12oz | 8-74875-00425-4 | 3287 |
As an extra precautionary measure, the company is voluntarily recalling the following items from its grocery shelves and bulk departments:
| Brand | Full Product Name | Size/Weight | UPC Code | Lot Code |
| Frontier | Organic Whole Black Peppercorns | 16oz | 0-89836-02603-3 | 3256 |
| Sprouts Farmers Market | Organic Black Peppercorns | 2.12oz | 8-74875-00425-4 | 3246 |
| Simply Organic | Whole Black Peppercorns | 2.65oz | 0-89836-18524-2 | 3221, 3262 |
Customers who have purchased any of the products mentioned in this release are urged not to use or consume them and return them to any Sprouts Farmers Market for a full refund. Customer safety and product integrity is of the utmost importance to Sprouts Farmers Market. The company is committed to alerting our customers of hazardous or defective products in a timely and accurate manner.
Customers with questions may contact Sprouts Farmers Market's Customer Relations Department Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm PT at (480) 814-8016 or email us at customerrelations@sprouts.com .
About Sprouts Farmers Market
Sprouts Farmers Market is a healthy grocery store offering fresh, natural and organic foods at great prices. We offer a complete shopping experience that includes fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, packaged groceries, meat and seafood, baked goods, dairy products, frozen foods, natural body care and household items catering to consumers' growing interest in health and wellness. Recently named one of the top five supermarket chains by Consumer Reports and headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Sprouts Farmers Market employs more than 15,000 team members and operates more than 170 stores in nine states.
Media Contact: Donna Egan (602) 682-3152
