CDC Closes Outbreak Investigation on CRF Frozen Vegetables

CDC has ended the frozen vegetable outbreak investigation associated with frozen vegetables produced in Washington state that were contaminated with Listeria.  Overall, a total of nine people in four states became infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes in four states with 3 deaths. (Two of the three deaths have not been officially linked to Listeria.)

There may be additional illnesses since this is a frozen product and may still be stored in some people's freezer.

 

CDC News Release

http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/frozen-vegetables-05-16/index.html

Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Frozen Vegetables (Final Update)

 

At a Glance:

Case Count: 9  (http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/frozen-vegetables-05-16/epi.html)

States: 4  (http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/frozen-vegetables-05-16/map.html)

Deaths: 3

Hospitalizations: 9

Recall: Yes  ( http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/frozen-vegetables-05-16/advice-consumers.html) 

 

Posted July 15, 2016 1:45 PM ET

 

This outbreak investigation is over. However, people could continue to get sick because recalled products may still be in freezers and people who don’t know about the recalls could eat them. Retailers should not sell and consumers should not eat recalled products. Read the Recall and Advice to Consumers and Retailers(http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/frozen-vegetables-05-16/advice-consumers.html).

 

Highlights

 

• This outbreak investigation is over. However, people could continue to get sick because recalled products may still be freezers and people who don’t know about the recalls could eat them. Retailers should not sell and consumers should not eat recalled products. Read the Recall and Advice to Consumers and Retailers(http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/frozen-vegetables-05-16/advice-consumers.html).
• CDC, several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigated a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections (listeriosis).
• Listeria can cause a serious, life-threatening illness.
• Nine people infected with the outbreak strains of Listeria have been reported from four states since September 13, 2013.
• All nine people were hospitalized, and three of them died. Listeriosis was considered to be a cause of death for one person in Connecticut. For the two deaths in Maryland and Washington, listeriosis was not considered to be a cause of death.
• Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicated that frozen vegetables produced by CRF Frozen Foods of Pasco, Washington and sold under various brand names were a likely source of illness in this outbreak.
• On April 23, 2016, CRF Frozen Foods recalled 11 frozen vegetable products because of potential Listeria contamination.
• On May 2, 2016, CRF Frozen Foods expanded the initial recall to include all organic and traditional frozen vegetable and fruit products processed in its Pasco, Washington facility since May 1, 2014. More than 350 consumer products sold under 42 separate brands were recalled, as well as at least 100 other products prepared by other companies that contained recalled ingredients from CRF Frozen Foods.
• CDC recommends that consumers do not eat, and restaurants and retailers do not serve or sell, recalled organic and traditional frozen vegetables and fruit products and recalled products containing these items.
• Recalled items were sold nationwide and in Canada.

A complete list of recalled products is on the FoodSafety.gov website

 

Food Safety Magazine

http://www.foodsafetymagazine.com/news/cdc-ends-frozen-vegetable-outbreak-investigation/

CDC Ends Frozen Vegetable Outbreak Investigation

News | July 18, 2016

 

By Staff

 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has ended its investigation into CRF Frozen Foods’ multistate outbreak. However, the agency warns that the outbreak itself may still continue because consumers may still have contaminated food items in their freezers and do not know about the recalls.

 

Alongside CDC officials, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was also investigating the multistate outbreak. Laboratory tests proved that frozen vegetables produced by Pasco, WA-based CRF Frozen Foods. The frozen items were sold under a number of brand names.

 

Overall, the CDC’s investigation found a total of nine people infected with the outbreak strains of Listeria monocytogenes in four states that resulted in three deaths and nine hospitalizations. It is important to note that two of the three deaths have not been officially linked to Listeria. The very first illness occurred in September 2013, but the others all occurred between January 2015 and May 2016. No product recall was announced until late April 2016, followed by an expanded recall in May 2016. In total, more than 350 consumer products sold under 42 separate brands were recalled, as well as at least 100 other products prepared by other companies that contained recalled ingredients from CRF Frozen Foods. Recalled items were sold nationwide and in Canada.

 

A complete list of the recalled frozen vegetables is available at FoodSafety.gov.

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