WASHINGTON (AP) – A company is recalling almonds sold nationwide by mail order as part of an expanded effort to recover nuts that may contain harmful bacteria.

Hammons Pantry of Stockton, Mo., said Thursday it is recalling raw almonds packed in 8-ounce and 16-ounce packages under the Hammons Pantry Label because they may be contaminated with salmonella, a bacterium that causes food poisoning.

The recall is the latest of several prompted by a Food and Drug Administration investigation into seven reports of the illness salmonella enteritidis, a type of food poisoning.

The series of recalls on almonds add up to more than 13 million pounds. The nuts were produced by a leading almond supplier, Paramount Farms in California.

Hammons sold the recalled almonds between Oct. 2 and May 25. The company said the almonds should be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund. People with questions can call Hammons at 1-888-429-6887.

Young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable to infection from salmonella. It can be fatal.

People sick from salmonella poisoning may experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, and should consult their doctors or local health departments.

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On the Net:

FDA: http://www.fda.gov

AP-ES-05-27-04 1754EDT