Hundreds of packages of ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables sold on the East Coast are being recalled over fears they may be contaminated with listeria.
The FDA revealed the recall on Thanksgiving Day, which affected foods sold in grocery stores made by Gracie’s Kitchen.
Routine testing at its manufacturing facility in New Haven, Connecticut, detected potentially deadly bacteria.
More than 150 products sold in New York and Connecticut are affected, including lots of cauliflower florets, broccoli, watermelon stems, mango cups and prepared fruit trays.
All of the food was expired before Thanksgiving, but some customers may have frozen and then thawed it for the holiday. They were sold under the labels Gracie’s Kitchen, King Kullen and Wild by Nature.
To date, no illnesses have been reported, but customers have been urged to discard any left in freezers and contact the stores where they purchased them for a refund.
If you think you have consumed one of the affected products and start to feel unwell, we recommend that you see your doctor.
Listeria infections are particularly serious among young children, older people, and others with weakened immune systems. In pregnant women, the infection can cause spontaneous abortion.
Hundreds of fresh fruit and vegetable products are being recalled in New York and Connecticut for suspected listeria contamination (File Image)
Healthy people can also suffer short-term illness from the bacteria, with symptoms including high fever, severe headache, stiffness and abdominal pain.
Last week, a baby in California died after contracting listeria from ready-to-eat meat sold by South Carolina-based Yu Shang Food. More than 72,000 pounds of the company’s meats were recalled.
In revealing the latest recall, the FDA said the products were no longer for sale in stores and were past their expiration date as of Nov. 24. They were manufactured between November 4 and 13.
People who have become ill are urged to contact the FDA to report the infection.
The agency added: ‘This recall was initiated after sampling indicated that Listeria was found in the environment. The company is working with the FDA.
A complete list of recalled products was posted on the FDA website.
The above shows a selection of labels used on Gracie’s Kitchen products that have been recalled.
And this shows a selection of the labels of King Kullen products that were recalled.
The above shows a selection of the labels used on some of the Wild by Nature products that were recalled.
It was unclear how listeria entered the factory, but experts say it may be related to vegetables entering the plant after being contaminated with the bacteria in the field.
They can then spread the bacteria to factory equipment, and the equipment then spreads it to other food products.
Listeria is the third leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States, behind 1,600 infections and 260 deaths each year.
Outbreaks can be detected through routine testing or through investigation after an illness is reported to a medical facility.