Listeria Concern Prompts Recall of Fresh Cut Vegetables

veggie recall

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A Texas company is recalling 30,000 cases of fresh-cut vegetable products from eight retail chains — including Wal-Mart and Publix — after a random sample tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

Country Fresh fresh-cut vegetablesCountry Fresh LLC of Conroe, TX, distributed various combinations of 45 different fresh-cut vegetable products to retailers in nine states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

The recalled vegetables have best-by dates between Aug. 7 and Aug. 19, according to the recall notice that was posted Aug. 26 on the Food and Drug Administration’s website.

“The company has ceased distribution of the affected product as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Country Fresh continue their investigation as to what caused the problem,” according to the recall notice.

“Consumers who have purchased any of these products are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 281-453-3305.”

No illnesses had been reported in connection with the fresh-cut vegetables as of the posting of the recall notice on the FDA’s website. Listeriosis, the infection caused by the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes, can take up to 70 days after exposure before causing symptoms.

The company initiated the recall after a sample collected from a retail store by officials with the Georgia Department of Agriculture tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Dates for the sample collection and lab tests were not provided in the recall notice on the FDA’s website.

Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled vegetables and develops symptoms of Listeria infection is urged to see a doctor immediately.

Listeria monocytogenes is a microscopic organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Following are the specific fresh-cut vegetables included in the recall that were distributed to Tennessee

  • Diced Yellow Onion 8oz Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Use by date range: 8/8/2016-8/17/2016
  • Marketside Pico de Gallo 10oz Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Use by date range: 8/8/2016 -8/17/2016
  • Marketside Spicy Pico de Gallo 10 Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Use by date range: 8/8/2016-8/17/2016
  • Sliced Bell Peppers 7oz Wal-Mart Stores Inc.. Use by date range: 8/7/2016-8/19/2016
  • Marketside Fajita Mix 9.5oz Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Use by date range: 8/8/2016-8/19/2016
  • Marketside Veggie Kabobs 23oz Wal-Mart Stores Inc.. Use by date range: 8/9/2016-8/19/2016
  • Portabella Griller 12.5oz Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Use by date range: 8/7/2016-8/19/2016

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