Frozen Green Beans, 2014 Pack Date, Recalled for Listeria

An organic frozen vegetable division of General Mills, Cascadian Farms, is recalling 2 lots of frozen cut green beans after a sample of the 18 month old product was found to be positive for Listeria.  There have been no reported illnesses.

There are a number of interesting points to note:

• The product was produced close to 18 months earlier, so it is curious why the product was just tested now. 
• Beans would have been blanched, so it is likely this is a case of post-process contamination....either occurring during initial bulk packing or repacking.
• The beans would have been from the 2013 harvest and frozen in bulk until repacked or the product was imported from another country...so there would be a lot of handling.
• This type of product would likely be cooked by the consumer.  The label would have instructions for cooking and provided those instructions were followed, then Listeria would be eliminated.
• Now that product from this facility was found to be positive for Listeria, will additional product be tested, including more recent product (if it hasn't been so already) and will there be a surge of attention brought to this facility (as well as other facilities that pack similar product).
• Frozen vegetables were also recalled in April after the facility had Listeria positive results for environmental samples. 

 

General Mills News Release

http://www.generalmills.com//en/News/NewsReleases/Library/2015/July/cc-recall/3b3a9c6b-4989-464c-91f6-289a55888a27

Aug 26, 2015

General Mills voluntarily recalls a limited quantity of frozen Cascadian Farm Cut Green Beans

  

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota - General Mills today announced a voluntary Class I recall of a limited quantity of frozen Cascadian Farm Cut Green Beans produced over two days in March 2014. The recall is being issued as a precaution after one package of finished product tested positive for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. No related illnesses have been reported in connection with this product.

 

This voluntary recall is limited to 10-ounce bags of frozen Cascadian Farm Cut Green Beans with either of two “Better If Used By” dates printed on the package:

 

10APR2016

11APR2016

 

The recalled product was produced and packaged in 2014. No other varieties or production dates of Cascadian Farm products are affected by this recall.

The Cascadian Farm frozen cut green beans were distributed to retail establishments nationwide.

Consumers are urged to dispose of the products affected by this recall.

 

Consumers who have products covered by this recall may contact Cascadian Farm Consumer Relations at 1-800-624-4123 for a replacement.

 

CONTACT  Consumers: 1-800-624-4123

Media: Kirstie Foster  763-764-6364  media.line@genmills.com

FDA Recall Notice

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm459964.htm

General Mills Voluntarily Recalls a Limited Quantity of Frozen Cascadian Farm Cut Green Beans

 

Contact: Consumer: 1-800-624-4123

Media: Kirstie Foster 763-764-6364 Media.line@genmills.com

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 26, 2015 - Minneapolis - General Mills today announced a voluntary Class I recall of a limited quantity of frozen Cascadian Farm Cut Green Beans produced over two days in March 2014. The recall is being issued as a precaution after one package of finished product tested positive for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. No related illnesses have been reported in connection with this product.

 

This voluntary recall is limited to 10-ounce bags of frozen Cascadian Farm Cut Green Beans with either of two “Better If Used By” dates printed on the package:

 

10APR2016

11APR2016

 

The recalled product was produced and packaged in 2014. No other varieties or production dates of Cascadian Farm products are affected by this recall.

 

The Cascadian Farm frozen cut green beans were distributed to retail establishments nationwide.

 

Consumers are urged to dispose of the products affected by this recall. Consumers who have products covered by this recall may contact Cascadian Farm Consumer Relations at 1-800-624-4123 for a replacement.