LOS ANGELES- The California Department of Public Health on Friday announced a recall of hazelnuts which might be contaminated by E coli bacteria.

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The department said it ordered the recall after seven people fell sick with E coli bacteria from eating tainted hazelnuts.

The seven illnesses include one in Michigan, three in Minnesota and three in Wisconsin, said Dr Howard Backer, interim director of the department.

The hazelnuts were distributed by DeFranco & Sons, a Los Angeles company, said the department.

After being notified of the contamination, the company is voluntarily recalling the nuts, the department said.

The hazelnuts affected by the recall were sold under the brand names Sunripe, George Packing, Firestone Farms and Northwest Hazelnut and were distributed nationwide from Nov 2 to Dec 22, according to the department.

The 50-pound bags of hazelnuts and mixed nuts with hazelnuts may have been repacked or sold from bulk containers, the department said, adding people who had bought the hazelnuts should not eat them.

Consumers should check with retailers to determine if their nuts are subject to the recall, and if they are, should discard them, the department added.

People who develop symptoms after consuming hazelnuts should seek immediate medical attention, the department suggested.

E coli may cause symptoms that include bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps and dehydration. In extreme cases, patients can suffer potentially life-threatening complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome, which includes kidney failurE

Young children and the elderly are the most vulnerable to the risk.