Wegman's then recalled bakery products that were made from the fruit.
Both companies acted out of an abundance of caution. Research published in the Journal of Food Protection (abstract below) shows that Listeria, while it can attach to the exterior surface, does not grow, let alone survive. The only issue would be if the contamination at the source allowed a high level of the organism to attach, which would be, according to the publication "it is unrealistic to assume that such artificially high levels of contamination would occur when basic good agricultural practices are followed."
In terms of the bakery products, baking would eliminate the pathogens. It would only be a concern if the fruit was added to the bakery items after cooking in a 'fresh application'. Even then, the fruit would be washed and peeled, and that process would serve as a reduction step.
FDA News Release
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm405943.htm
Recall -- Firm Press Release
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.
Wawona Packing Co. Takes Precautionary Step of Voluntarily Recalling Fresh, Whole Peaches, Plums, Nectarines, and Pluots Because of Possible Health Risk
Contact: Consumer: 1-888-232-9912
Media: Amy Philpott 703-472-6615
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 19, 2014 - Wawona Packing Company of Cutler, Calif is voluntarily recalling certain lots of whole peaches (white and yellow), nectarines (white and yellow), plums and pluots packed between June 1, 2014 through July 12,2014 due to the potential of the products being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Wawona Packing has notified retailers of the specific lots being recalled. No other products are impacted by this recall. No illnesses have been linked to this recall to date.
Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which 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.
The recalled products were shipped directly to retailers and wholesalers who resell the products. Because we do not know the locations of the companies that purchased the products from our direct customers, the company is issuing a nationwide recall. Consumers can identify the recalled products by the information provided in the attached list and photographs. Anyone who has the recalled products in their possession should not consume them and should discard them. Consumers with questions may contact Wawona Packing at 1-888-232-9912, M-F, 8am-5pm ET , or visit www.wawonapacking.com
for a copy of this press release.Wawona Packing has already notified its business customers and requested that they remove the recalled products from commerce. Wawona Packing is voluntarily recalling these products in consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
The recall was initiated based on internal company testing. The company shut down the implicated packing lines, retrofitted equipment, sanitized the facility and retested. Subsequent daily test results have been negative.
"We are aware of no illnesses related to the consumption of these products" said Brent Smittcamp, President of Wawona Packing Co. " By taking the precautionary step of recalling product, we will minimize even the slightest risk to public health, and that is our priority."
Wawona Packing Recalls Product List
FDA News Release
Recall -- Firm Press Release
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm405956.htm
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.
Wegmans Issues Voluntary Recall of Bakery Products That May Contain Fresh Peaches, Nectarines and Plums Supplied by Wawona Packing Company
Contact: Consumer: 1-855-934-3663
Media: Jo Natale 1-585-301-8009 jo.natale@wegmans.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 20, 2014 - Rochester, NY - Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is voluntarily recalling several in-store baked desserts that may contain fresh peaches, nectarines, and/or plums. The fruit was supplied by California-based Wawona Packing Company, which issued a voluntary recall when routine testing by the company showed potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. No illnesses associated with this recall have been reported to Wawona or to Wegmans.
L. monocytogenes is a bacterium that can contaminate foods and cause a mild non-invasive illness (called listerial gastroenteritis) or a severe, sometimes life-threatening, illness (called invasive listeriosis). Persons who have the greatest risk of experiencing listeriosis after consuming foods contaminated with L. monocytogenes are fetuses and neonates who are infected after the mother is exposed to L. monocytogenes during pregnancy, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems. Customers who have experienced these symptoms should contact their physician.
The following recalled products may contain the affected Wawona-packed fruits. The products are labeled with a store-printed scale label that will identify the product and UPC.
Recalled Cakes and Pies
Peach Melba Whipped Cream, 34 oz. UPC 7789033104
Fruit-Topped Short Cake, 1/4 sheet, 49 oz. UPC 7789032772
Genoise Cake,1/4 sheet, 64 oz. UPC 7789027385
Fruit-Topped Cheese Cake, large, 54 oz. UPC 7789026438
Fruit-Topped Cheese Cake, small, 18 oz. UPC 7789026441
Fruit-Topped Cream Cheese Pie 40 oz. UPC 7789018953
Recalled Tarts and Other Pastries
Vanilla Trifle, 8 oz. UPC 7789080600
Peach Melba Tart, 26 oz. UPC 7789098553
Rectangular Fruit Tart, 37 oz. UPC 20823800000
Mixed Fruit Tart, 30 oz. UPC 20819500000
Square Fruit Tart, 48 oz. UPC 20823700000
Lg. Fruit Strip (Puff Pastry), 11 oz. UPC 20829200000
Sm. Fruit Strip (Puff Pastry), 3 oz. UPC 20829100000
Frangipane (tart), 30 oz. UPC 7789091064
Lg. Fruit Crostata, 21 oz. UPC 20829300000
Sm. Fruit Crostata, 7 oz. UPC 20829900000
Lg. Nectarine Crostata, 21 oz. UPC 20823100000
Sm. Nectarine Crostata, 6 oz. UPC 20832600000
Customers who purchased the recalled products from Wegmans between June 1 and July 20 should discard the product at home and visit the service desk and identify the product for a full refund.
Wegmans will place automated phone calls to customers who purchased the recalled products using their Shoppers club card. Consumers with questions may contact Wegmans consumer affairs department toll free at 1-855-934-3663 Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern time.
Attachment and Colonization by Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus on Stone Fruit Surfaces and Survival through a Simulated Commercial Export Chain
Authors: Collignon, Stacey1; Korsten, Lise2
Source: Journal of Food Protection®, Number 7, July 2010, pp. 1212-1397, pp. 1247-1256(10)
Abstract:
The ability of the foodborne pathogens Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus to attach, colonize, and survive on stone fruit surfaces was investigated. Fifty microliters of bacterial suspension was spot inoculated onto the sterile intact fructoplane of whole peaches and plums. Minimum time required for initial adhesion and attachment was recorded for different surface contact times. Surface colonization patterns of the four pathogens and survival under simulated commercial export conditions also were evaluated. L. monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium attached immediately to stone fruit surfaces. E. coli O157:H7 and S. aureus were visibly attached after 30 s and 1 h, respectively, of direct exposure. Holding freshly harvested stone fruit at 0.5°C to simulate cold storage conditions significantly lowered the titer of E. coli O157:H7 on plums and the titers of L. monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium on stone fruit. E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes at a low inoculum level and S. aureus and Salmonella Typhimurium at high and low levels did not survive the simulated export chain conditions at titers that exceeded the minimum infectious dose. However, E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes were able to survive on stone fruit surfaces when inoculated at an artificially high level. In this case, the final titer at the end of the supply chain was higher than the infectious dose. In this laboratory experiment, E. coli O157:H7, L. monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium, and S. aureus at potential natural contamination levels were unable to survive simulated export conditions.
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