Not directly stated in the announcement is that the product is imported from Turkey (printed on package) and distributed within the US. So this is a supplier control issue, and knowing how well the packer of this product controls Listeria in the processing environment. The distributor did testing, but it appears that product had already been distributed. So was a sample and hold procedure in place?
While Listeria will not grow on the frozen cherries, the concerns would be related to the level of Listeria on the cherries and how the application for using cherries. The risk increases with a higher level of Listeria present and if the cherries will be used in 1) RTE applications such as a fruit smoothie and 2) in a matrix that will allow for growth, (if the blended smooth has a sufficient PH and 3) that product will be held for a sufficient time to allow for growth...someone leaves that smoothie on their desk all day.
FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm572971.htm
Recall of Certain Frozen Organic Dark Sweet Pitted Cherry Products Due to Possible Contamination by Listeria Monocytogenes
For Immediate Release
August 23, 2017
Contact
Consumers contactus@sunopta.com 1-800-854-1988
Media Dan Gagnier dg@gagnierfc.com 646-569-5897
Patrick Reynolds preynolds@gagnierfc.com 646-569-5879
Announcement
View Product Photos
Out of an abundance of caution, SunOpta Inc’s subsidiary, Sunrise Growers Inc., has issued a voluntary recall of certain frozen organic dark sweet pitted cherry products due to the potential to be contaminated with 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.
This recall includes certain frozen organic dark sweet pitted cherry products distributed from Sunrise Grower’s facility in Edwardsville, Kansas on August 10, 2017. The issue was discovered during routine testing by Sunrise Growers. No illnesses related to the consumption of these products have been reported.
Ninety cases of Great Value Organic Dark Sweet Pitted Cherry products are being recalled. The products are packaged in 32 ounce printed plastic zip top bags and marked with a Best By Date of 08/10/19 on the back of the bag. The UPC code is 078742126166 and the lot code is FED722211 or FED722212.
These recalled products were distributed to a customer distribution center in Louisiana and may have been redistributed to stores in Louisiana and Mississippi. The affected retail customer has been notified of this recall and instructed to remove any recalled product from retail store shelves and inventories.
Consumers are urged not to consume these products. Consumers who purchased these products may take them back to the store where they purchased them for a refund or simply discard them. Consumers seeking information may email contactus@sunopta.com or call 1-800-854-1988 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. pacific time.
This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm572971.htm
Recall of Certain Frozen Organic Dark Sweet Pitted Cherry Products Due to Possible Contamination by Listeria Monocytogenes
For Immediate Release
August 23, 2017
Contact
Consumers contactus@sunopta.com 1-800-854-1988
Media Dan Gagnier dg@gagnierfc.com 646-569-5897
Patrick Reynolds preynolds@gagnierfc.com 646-569-5879
Announcement
View Product Photos
Out of an abundance of caution, SunOpta Inc’s subsidiary, Sunrise Growers Inc., has issued a voluntary recall of certain frozen organic dark sweet pitted cherry products due to the potential to be contaminated with 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.
This recall includes certain frozen organic dark sweet pitted cherry products distributed from Sunrise Grower’s facility in Edwardsville, Kansas on August 10, 2017. The issue was discovered during routine testing by Sunrise Growers. No illnesses related to the consumption of these products have been reported.
Ninety cases of Great Value Organic Dark Sweet Pitted Cherry products are being recalled. The products are packaged in 32 ounce printed plastic zip top bags and marked with a Best By Date of 08/10/19 on the back of the bag. The UPC code is 078742126166 and the lot code is FED722211 or FED722212.
These recalled products were distributed to a customer distribution center in Louisiana and may have been redistributed to stores in Louisiana and Mississippi. The affected retail customer has been notified of this recall and instructed to remove any recalled product from retail store shelves and inventories.
Consumers are urged not to consume these products. Consumers who purchased these products may take them back to the store where they purchased them for a refund or simply discard them. Consumers seeking information may email contactus@sunopta.com or call 1-800-854-1988 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. pacific time.
This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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