Monday, December 17, 2018

California Company Recalls Salad Due to Listeria Positive Sample

Apio, Inc. of Guadalupe, California is recalling salad bowls after after informed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) that one random sample of salad bowl product with Best Before of Dec 14, 2018 tested positive for Listeria Monocytogenes. The are currently only recalling products produced on the same day and same production line as the one that tested positive by the CFIA. 

Hopefully this company has faith in thier controls that the Listeria is limited to one lot, which would mean that the contamination is more an incidental, transient issue rather than an endemic, process-source contamination.  In the past, recalls start off small with companies assuming contamination was a one day event, only to expand as they discover the issue is much bigger.

FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm628566.htm
Apio, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Five Skus of Eat Smart Single-Serve Salad Shake Ups™
For Immediate Release
December 15, 2018
Contact
Consumers Apio’s toll-free number   1- 800-626-2746
Media Leigh Lehman llehman@talktocurrent.com (310) 967-3409

Announcement

Apio, Inc. of Guadalupe, California is voluntarily recalling five SKUs of Eat Smart® Single-Serve Salad Shake Ups™ (bowls). The recall comes after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) informed the company that one random sample of Eat Smart Single-Serve Salad Shake Ups Sweet Kale/Chou Frise Doux 156 gr. (5.5oz) with Best Before of Dec 14, 2018 tested positive for Listeria Monocytogenes. As a precautionary measure, we are recalling all products produced on the same day, same production line, as the one sample that tested positive by CFIA. At this time, we are not aware of any illnesses linked by health officials to this recall and no other products are affected by this recall.

The affected product can be identified with the following UPC and lot codes:
•Eat Smart Single-Serve Salad Shake Ups – Asian Sesame – UPC 7 09351 30241 1, Lot 112 331
•Eat Smart Single-Serve Salad Shake Ups – Avocado Ranch – UPC 7 09351 30177 3, Lot 112 331
•Eat Smart Single-Serve Salad Shake Ups – Raspberry Acai – UPC 7 09351 30178 0, Lot 112 331
•Eat Smart Single-Serve Salad Shake Ups – Sweet Kale – UPC 7 09351 30240 4, Lot 112 331
•Eat Smart Single-Serve Salad Shake Ups – Tropical Lime – UPC 7 09351 30179 7, Lot 112 331
•Eat Smart Single-Serve Salad Shake Ups – Avocado Ranch/Ranch ET Avocats – UPC 7 09351 30195 7, Lot 112 331
•Eat Smart Single-Serve Salad Shake Ups – Raspberry Acai/Framboises ET Acai – UPC 7 09351 30196 4, Lot 112 331
•Eat Smart Single-Serve Salad Shake Ups – Sweet Kale/Chou Frisé Doux – UPC 7 09351 30243 5, Lot 112 331

The product was shipped to retail and distributor customers in the following U.S. states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington. In Canada, the product was shipped to retail and distributor customers in the following provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan.

Listeria monocytogenes is 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.

Anyone who has the recalled product in their possession should not consume it. The product from any of these lot numbers should be disposed of immediately or returned to the place of purchase for a refund. Consumers with questions may contact Apio’s toll-free number at 1- 800-626-2746, or visit its website at https://www.eatsmart.net.

Apio, Inc. has already notified retail and distributor customers who were shipped the affected product. We have also asked our direct customers to notify their customers of this recall.

Apio, Inc. is issuing this press release and keeping the U.S. Food and Drug Administration informed of its recall process to ensure that consumers are properly alerted. “We’re conducting this voluntary recall as a precaution out of consideration for the wellbeing and safety of our customers and consumers, despite the fact that there have been no reported cases of illness,” said Brian Zomorodi, VP Quality & Food Safety. “We continue to be committed to serving consumers with the very best quality product and service.”

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