MI Indoor Farm Recalls Products Due to Potential Listeria Contamination

Recall Expanded (FDA April 7, 2023) to include additional products.

Revolution Farms of Caledonia, Michigan is voluntarily recalling the listed products packed between 3/3/23 and 3/11/23, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The recall was initiated when the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) received a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes in a random sample test of a single package of Revolution Farms Green Sweet Crisp – 5oz Retail with Best By date of April 2, 2023.  To date, there have been no illnesses.

The recalled products were sold to the following retailers and food service distributors in the states of MI, OH, IN, IL, KY, and WI

Revolution Farms is indoor farm, falling in the realm of CEA, or Controlled Environment Agriculture.

"The term controlled environment agriculture (CEA) encompasses a variety of systems that take a technology-based approach to farming. CEA can range from simple shade structures and hoop houses through greenhouses to full indoor or vertical farms. The most advanced systems are fully automated, closed loop systems with controlled lighting, water and ventilation. CEA also encompasses common practices such as plastic film over field-grown crops, nets or shade structures and aquaponics systems that integrate fish or aquaculture with plant production."

"CEA systems are designed to provide optimal growing conditions for crops and prevent disease and pest damage. In indoor systems with artificial lighting, crops may be grown hydroponically, in which roots are bathed in nutrient-dense water, or aeroponically where roots are regularly misted with water and nutrients". (Source UC Davis)

Closed farming systems may pose more Listeria risk than conventional farms.  These environments are not much different than a wet processing facility.  As an example, in 2021, Old Soul's Farms had a Listeria-related recall that linked to Listeria build-up in the rainwater-capture holding tanks.  

Other facilities have had issues with different pathogens including Salmonella and pathogenic E.coli.  Because of these issues, CEAs must address pathogen hazards through risk assessment and enacting preventive controls where needed and verifying GMP type controls, especially if these facilities contain a transition to 'processing' within the scope of their operations.

Interesting note that today, an article appeared in Food Safety Magazine (Apr-May, 2023), "Is CEA a Safer Way to Grow and Process RTE Vegetables? "  The article is not overly insightful in terms of providing a broad perspective of risk, but it does provide these quotes by the author that are interesting... 

• "Unfortunately, my experience with CEA practitioners is not encouraging with regard to risk mitigation efforts. In my view, CEA growers assume that because they do not have dirt and are enclosed, they are safe. This attitude seems similar to the prevailing attitudes in 2006."
• "Most, if not all, traditional RTE operations are cold, wet environments. Listeria monocytogenes is of particular concern. Salmonella is generally of greater concern in drier operations. Given that CEA operations can have both wet and dry areas, it is reasonable to consider the development of tailored environmental monitoring programs that address both hazards."
• "Control of the wash system in a traditional RTE processing facility is an important focus of the food safety program. Washing value-added product has reduced illnesses. CEA, however, has largely bypassed the washing step. Some CEA operations are grappling with the decision to wash or not wash. A handful of operations are washing as a point of differentiation. Since 2006, the science and technology behind washing RTE product have advanced tremendously. Each CEA operation must consider how the safety of its system compares to the current standards of the RTE industry as a whole to support its claims of safety."
• "CEA farming presents some unique food safety challenges that traditional operations do not face. The recycling of nutrition solutions as part of irrigation has the potential to contaminate an entire production facility. Given the tendency toward continuous production, there are no discrete lots or clean breaks when a problem occurs."
• "Food safety needs to be designed into operations. The current designs of CEA operations are tailored for optimum operational performance. These designs will evolve in the same way that traditional process plants evolved. Traditional operations are no longer packing sheds. This evolution has taken time. However, given the achieved safety in traditional operations, CEA operations will need to evolve faster and make fewer mistakes."

And finally this regarding the ability to do a good risk assessment:

• "Unfortunately, the ability to execute a complete risk assessment is still evolving. The standards for risk assessments in the traditional RTE sector are soft. Third-party audits are very prescriptive and often focus on minor details without addressing the fundamentals that must be improved to advance food safety. Given the developmental stage of CEA, it will be difficult to execute a complete risk assessment of CEA operations at present. I expect someone will attempt a risk assessment of a farm in an RTE plant in the near future. It will probably be denounced and attacked; however, it will provide a starting point for a much-needed effort."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/revolution-farms-announces-voluntary-recall-lettuce-because-possible-health-risk
Revolution Farms Announces the Voluntary Recall of Lettuce Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 05, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  April 05, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Revolution Farms
Brand Name:  Multiple brand names
Product Description:  Lettuce & Salad Kits

Company Announcement

Revolution Farms of Caledonia, Michigan is voluntarily recalling the listed products packed between 3/3/23 and 3/11/23, because they have 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.

No illnesses have been reported to date. If you think you may have become ill from something you ate, seek immediate medical attention. The recall was initiated when the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) received a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes in a random sample test of a single package of Revolution Farms Green Sweet Crisp – 5oz Retail with Best By date of April 2, 2023.

The recalled products were sold to the following retailers and food service distributors in the states of MI, OH, IN, IL, KY, and WI: SpartanNash stores, Meijer stores, Bridge St. Market, Kingma’s Market, Fresh Thyme Market Grand Rapids, Fresh Thyme Market Kalamazoo, Horrocks Market Grand Rapids, Doorganics, Cherry Capital Foods, Gordon Food Service, Van Eerden Foodservice, Vine Line Produce, Luna restaurant, Russ’ Commissary, and Pearson Foods Corporation.

All recalled products were distributed under the Revolution Farms brand name. Only the products and product codes listed in the table are included in the recall. The full list of recalled products is below:

Product Packaging Product Code UPC Code
Great Lakes Gourmet 5oz Retail Plastic tray, lidding film Best By 3/28/23 - 4/5/23 856791008028
Green Sweet Crisp 5oz Retail Plastic tray, lidding film Best By 3/28/23 - 4/5/23 856791008141
Michigan Spring Mix 5oz Retail Plastic tray, lidding film Best By 3/28/23 - 4/5/23 856791008004
Robust Romaine 5oz Retail Plastic tray, lidding film Best By 3/28/23 - 4/5/23 856791008035
Romaine Lettuce Boats 5oz Retail Plastic tray, lidding film Best By 3/28/23 - 4/5/23 856791008196
Sweet Crisp Deli Leaf 5oz Retail Plastic tray, lidding film Best By 3/28/23 - 4/5/23 856791008189
Whole Leaf Romaine 5oz Retail Plastic tray, lidding film Best By 3/28/23 - 4/5/23 856791008202
Sesame Ginger Crunch 6 oz Salad Kit Plastic tray, label Sell By 3/23/23 856791008233
Traverse City Cherry 6 oz Salad Kit Plastic tray, label Sell By 3/23/23 856791008226
Zesty Southwest 6 oz Salad Kit Plastic tray, label Sell By 3/23/23 856791008240
Farmer's Mix 3lb Bulk Clear poly bag Packaged On 3/3/23 - 3/11/23 856791008134
Great Lakes Gourmet 3lb Bulk Clear poly bag Packaged On 3/3/23 - 3/11/23 856791008066
Green Sweet Crisp 3lb Bulk Clear poly bag Packaged On 3/3/23 - 3/11/23 856791008172
Michigan Spring Mix 3lb Bulk Clear poly bag Packaged On 3/3/23 - 3/11/23 856791008042
Robust Romaine 3lb Bulk Clear poly bag Packaged On 3/3/23 - 3/11/23 856791008127

5oz Retail packages are clear, plastic trays sealed with printed lidding film and have a Best By date stamped on the bottom of the tub. 6oz Salad Kits are clear plastic tubs with a wrap label and have a Sell By date stamped on the side of the container. 3lb Bulk packages are clear, plastic bags packed 1 bag to a case with a Packaged On date stamped on the case label. Pictures to assist customers in identifying the recalled products are found at the end of this announcement.

Revolution Farms is cooperating with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on this ongoing investigation.

Affected retailers have been instructed to remove all recalled products from store shelves. Consumers who have purchased the recalled products should discard them or return them to their place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions are encouraged to call Trent Hartwig, President Monday to Friday from 9AM to 5PM at (616) 893-1748 or email info@revolutionfarms.com with the subject line: Recall.