MA Sprout Operation Expands Recall to All Product Due to Listeria

Chang Farm of Whatley, MA is expanding their May 5th recall to include ALL Mung Bean Sprouts and Soy Bean Sprouts within expiry because of the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes (L. Monocytogenes)

An expansion of a recall due to Listeria is too often a common outcome when the Federal inspectors find that the company did not have adequate Listeria controls in place.  So the initial recall in this case was discovered through State lab testing.  Investigators will often launch an inspection of the facility.  If they find that there are systemic issues that would indicate broader contamination, the company will be asked to expand the recall to more product.  In this case, all product produced by the company is being recalled (although for sprouts, there may not be a whole lot of product in commerce due to the short shelf life).

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/chang-farm-expands-recalls-mung-and-soy-bean-sprouts-because-possible-health-risk
Chang Farm Expands Recalls Mung and Soy Bean Sprouts Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 09, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  May 09, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Chang Farm
Brand Name:  Nature’s Wonder & Chang Farm
Product Description:  Bean Sprouts

Company Announcement

Chang Farm, 301 River Road, Whatley, MA is expanding their recall to include ALL Mung Bean Sprouts and Soy Bean Sprouts within expiry because of the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes (L. Monocytogenes). 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 headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The affected product is packaged in
Beans Sprouts 10lb bag and bag in box
Nature's Wonder Premium Beans Sprouts 12oz bag (UPC: 815098001330)
Nature's Wonder Premium Soybean Sprouts 12oz bag (UPC: 815098001347)

The product has been distributed to retail stores and wholesalers throughout MA, CT, NY, RI and NJ.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

We are expanding today's recall in response to a notification by the Massachusetts Food Protection Agency that a Mung Beans Sprouts sample collected on May 4th, 2023, at Chang Farm by the agency tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Chang Farm is working closely with governing authorities as we conduct the root cause investigation to this contamination.

All retail stores and wholesalers who have this lot in MA, CT, NY, NJ, and RI should remove this product from their shelves. Consumers should not consume the products and should discard this product or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers should contact their healthcare provider with any illness concerns. Consumers with questions about the warning may contact Chang Farm at 413-522-0234 or 413-222-5519 which will be monitored Monday-Sunday 24 hours.

Initial Press Release