RTE Burrito Products Recalled for Listeria Contamination.

A New Mexico food company is recalling 252,000 lbs of frozen burrito products after FSIS testing found a Listeria positive product sample.  The product is classified as a ready-to-eat product, and as a ready-to-eat product, the company would need to have an active Listeria control program.   With this much product recalled, it probably was not that 'active'.

The directions are heat-and-serve for both frozen and thawed product.

USDA / FSIS Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/FSIS-Content/internet/main/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2017/recall-050-2017-release
Green Chile Food Company Recalls Meat and Poultry Burrito Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination
Class I Recall 050-2017
Health Risk: High 

May 13, 2017

Frozen Waffles, Pancakes, and French Bread Slices Recalled Due to Listeria Positive Environmental Test Results

Aunt Jemima frozen pancakes, waffles, and French Toast Slices are being recalled due to potential Listeria contamination.  According to the announcement, "Pinnacle Foods initiated the recall after testing indicated the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the plant environment".

This is probably a low risk situation.  For one, the consumer is likely to hat the product according to the instructions.  Bu while these products would likely be heated and that heating would likely eliminate the Listeria from the surface, where it would likely be located, one couldn't guarantee the consumer is going to do that.  Another factor indicating low risk is the fact that the product is not likely to support the growth of Listeria....Partially due to product properties - perhaps with the exception of the product where meat is included, and maybe the french bread, depending upon the impact of the egg batter on the bread.  Also the fact the consumer is likely to keep frozen until they are ready to be heated.

FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm557098.htm
Pinnacle Foods Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Aunt Jemima Frozen Pancakes, Frozen Waffles & Frozen French Toast Slices Due to Possible Listeria Contamination
For Immediate Release
May 5, 2017

Frozen Peas Recalled Due to the Potential for Listeria Contamination

The grocery outlet Aldi is recalling bagged frozen peas after their supplier, Lakeside Foods, notified them of potential Listeria contamination.

While proper cooking would eliminate Listeria, concern would be used in an application where uncooked peas were used, such as a salad.  Freezing during storage and shipment prevents growth, however, if thawed and held at refrigeration temperature or warmer, there can be growth which increases the risk.

FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm551132.htm
In Association with Lakeside Foods, Inc., ALDI Voluntarily Recalls Season’s Choice Frozen Sweet Peas
For Immediate Release
April 4, 2017

Frozen Breaded Okra Recalled for Potential Glass Contaminate

Pictsweet is recalling bagged frozen breaded okra after the company received complaints of glass contamination.  One injury has been reported.


FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm537117.htm
The Pictsweet Company Announces Voluntary Recall of Pictsweet Farms 12oz Breaded Okra due to Risk of Glass Contamination
For Immediate Release
January 13, 2017

Hepatitis A in Frozen Strawberries Infects 89 People

CDC reported that 89 people contracted Hepatitis A from frozen strawberries.  The outbreak was initially reported two weeks by the Virginia Department of Health.  In most all cases, the infections were linked to the strawberries being served in smoothie drinks served by Tropical Smoothie Café.

Smoothies, the blending of fruits and vegetables into a nutritious yet tasty beverage, can be an issue if any of the fruit and vegetable ingredients harbor pathogenic bacteria.  The risk can be made worse if the smoothie product is temperature abused.  The hard part when buying from a commercial smoothie producer is knowing where they source their ingredients.  In the past, had been an issue pomegranate sourced from the middle east.  That too was a source of Hepatitis A.
 

CDC Outbreak
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/outbreaks/2016/hav-strawberries.htm
August 2016 - Multistate outbreak of hepatitis A linked to frozen strawberries
Posted September 8, 2016 10:15 AM ET

At a Glance

Case Count: 89

States: 7

Deaths: 0

Hospitalizations: 39

Hepatitis A Outbreak Link to Frozen Strawberries from Egypt

The VA Department of Health issued a health warning about a cluster of hepatitis A cases and has identified a potential association with frozen strawberries used in smoothies from Tropical Smoothie Cafe restaurants in Virginia.  The frozen strawberries came from Egypt.

This is not the first time that frozen fruit sourced from the Middle East has been a problem for Hepatitis A.   In 2013, frozen pomegranate seeds were linked to a Hepatitis A outbreak  where over 150 were infected.  Smoothies are an issue because there is no elimination step such as heating.  Any contamination on the fruit gets blended into the drink.

Virginia Department of Health News Release
http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/news/public-relations-contacts/news-releases/2016-statewide-news-releases/health-officials-warn-of-increased-hepatitis-a-risk/
Health Officials Warn of Increased Hepatitis A Risk
August 19, 2016

Frozen Corn Recalled Due to Positive Listeria Results

A Lancaster, PA frozen food distributor is recalling frozen cut corn after the North Carolina Department of Agriculture tested samples of the corn and found them positive or Listeria.  The recall affects Laura Lynn, Key Food, and Better Valu brands.

No illness have been reported to date.

FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm517435.htm
Cambridge Farms, LLC Recalls Three Brands Of Frozen Cut Corn Because Of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
August 19, 2016

PA Distributor Recalls Frozen Green Beans Due to Listeria

A Pennsylvania distributor of frozen foods is recalling frozen green beans for Listeria.  The recall was issued after their customer, a manufacturing company, tested and found Listeria in the product. It appears that JBL is just a distributor, so there may be a bigger supply chain involved going back to the company that produced and/or packaged the product.  It appears from the expiration date that this product was packed last year, so could be linked to the CRF recall?

FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm515115.htm
JML Ingredients Recalls IQF Cut Green Beans Because Of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
July 22, 2016

Warning Letter Issued to WA State Frozen Food Processor Responsible for Listeria Related Recall

FDA issued a warning letter in response to Oregon Food Company correction of inspection items as part of the Listeria recall of frozen produce.  A few things to note 1) the number of the issues the facility had in the inspection and the fact that they had a pretty big Listeria issue, and 2) their responses were rejected because while the facility addressed items they had to fix, they did not show that the fixes actually worked and that they implemented procedures for ongoing verification.  This is a good lesson in the issues that the plant faced, but also in how to, or how not to, respond to a FDA 483 report.
 
First, the letter points out that FDA found 19 Listeria positive environmental samples with 7 of those being food contact surfaces including a chiller water system (that did not have sanitizer).  These samples were linked via Whole Genome Sequencing to clinical isolates.  While the firm corrected the facility issues, FDA stated that this was not enough. "While we acknowledge these are appropriate actions to be taken, we are unable to fully evaluate the adequacy of these actions at this time without further details, documentation and results of your corrective actions."  So basically, they want to see results from extensive sampling, including when the plant is operating, that the organism is not present.

 

On GMP issues, the facility was found to be not as clean as it should have been.  While the plant indicated it trained the employees, FDA found the response lacking.  ."your response did not provide any details as to the content of this training or how you will ensure this training is effective by assessing and monitoring employee performance and adherence to the training."

 
The facility had many condensation issues, which is not good from controlling Listeria.  While the facility responded that they fixed sources of condensation, FDA responded "how you will assess whether this correction and the [fixes] are effective in minimizing the condensation above food and food contact surfaces. Your response does not address how to you will prevent future recurrence of this violation, such as through increased monitoring and assessment."

 

The facility had poorly made food contact surfaces that would provide harborage.  While the facility had repaired the surfaces, FDA responded "you provided no documentation or details on how you will ensure the repairs are adequate. Your response does not address how you will prevent future recurrence of this violation. "

 

In addition, there were steam ventilation issues and general facility issues.  Again, fixes were made, but the outcome of those fixes and measures to prevent reoccurrence were not addressed.

 

 

FDA Warning Letter

http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/2016/ucm512776.htm

Oregon Potato Company 7/15/16

 

Expanded Frozen Vegetable Recall Points to Poor Recall Procedures

ConAgra announced  an expanded recall of Watts Farms organic frozen vegetable products, these were sold in Costco.  The recall originated back in May as part of the CRF frozen vegetable recall.  According to the notice "As part of ConAgra’s internal recall follow-up procedures, additional package codes were recently identified."  That means that product purchased and used was not identified as part of the recall procedures when CRF made the announcement.   So there were some issues in identifying affected inventory.

An issue like this could be huge if it had been a riskier hazard.  They essentially let affected product out in commerce for an additional 3 months.  Luckily, the contamination levels were low and this is a product that is normally cooked.

FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm514090.htm
Updated: Additional Package Codes Of Watts Brothers Farms Organic Mixed Vegetables, Organic Super Sweet Corn, and Organic Peas Recalled Because of Possible Health Risk
July 28, 2016

Maryland Company Recalls Potato Salad Due to Use of Peas with Listeria

A Maryland company is recalling potato salad for potential Listeria contamination.  This comes after their supplier of peas, National Frozen Foods, recalled peas for Listeria.  It is important to point out that the product, at this point, is past the expiration date.

The interesting item with this is that the product was shipped using Amazon Fresh, the grocery delivery arm of Amazon.com.  In fact, the product appears to have been made in Maryland and then shipped to Washington state (the recall was announced for product sold in Washington state area.) 

Do you wonder if people who ordered the potato salad realize it was made close to 3000 miles away?
Gaps in the cold supply chain where product may be exposed o higher temperatures can be an issue if Listeria is present in that any prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures can increase growth potential.



FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm510429.htm
Hearn Kirkwood Recalls "Evie's Cheddar Potato Salad" Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
July 6, 2016

Frozen Peas Recalled Due to Listeria Positive Test Result

A Washington state frozen food company is recalling frozen peas and blends of frozen vegetables that include peas after testing found the product may be contaminated with Listeria.  There have been no reported illnesses.

This recall affects a number of private label brands including those sold through Walmart (Great Value) and Target (Market Pantry).

New York based HelloFresh is also recalling product with peas.  HelloFresh is a mail order company that sends food kits to people for in-home food preparation.   Being that this company direct ships to their customer, making direct contact with those individuals should be easy.

Peas are normally blanched before freezing, and so the Listeria contamination most likely occurred someplace between blanching and packaging.  While frozen peas are normally cooked by the consumer before eating, which if done according to validated cooking instructions posted on the package, would eliminate the pathogen.    However, many use peas as a ready-to-eat ingredient in salads and dips, so in those cases, Listeria could be present.  There is, also a chance that people would not heat the peas sufficiently.

That is the case with associated recalls for product sold through Whole Foods where Green Cuisine is initiating a voluntary recall of “Pesto Pasta Salad with Arugula”.  Another company is recalling wraps because the peas were used.   And then a Portand Oregon company is recalling Macaroni Salad made with peas.  What supplier arrangement was in place...did the manufacturer agree on the use of this product as an ingredient in RTE food.

Allowing the frozen peas to thaw and then sit at refrigerated temperatures (or higher) for a number of days could allow the Listeria, if present, to increase in number.  This could be an issue with mail order products such as those delivered through HelloFresh.

FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm507535.htm
National Frozen Foods Corporation Recalls Frozen Green Peas and Frozen Mixed Vegetables Because of Possible Health Risk

FDA Investigation Report for Frozen Produce Facility at Center of Recall

The FDA released the inspection report of the CRF facility that was responsible for the massive frozen vegetable recall.  The inspection, conducted in March and transcribed below, found no blaring issues cited, but just some basic hits to the equipment and utensils used.  Surprising?  Not really, because a visual inspection is not going to identify low level contamination issues, such as what we expect was the case at CRF.   While you can find signs of sanitation lapses in an inspection that can lead to harborage issues or indicators of overall poor sanitation, it is really microbial sampling that will provide an idea of control.  Another important inspection is a review of the sampling being conducted by the facility - are they sampling for Listeria, how many samples, what are the results, is there corrective action, when are they sampling, who is doing the testing, how are they sampling, etc. In the end, is the facility really trying to find it, or are they doing testing just to say they are doing testing.

The transcription of the report:

Recall Cascade Continues for Frozen Produce, Walnuts, and Sunflower Seed Due to Listeria

The cascade of recalls continues...for Listeria in frozen produce, for Listeria in sunflower seeds, and Listeria in Walnuts.

LISTERIA IN FROZEN PRODUCE

Updated: Ajinomoto Windsor Recall of Products Related to CRF Frozen Vegetable Recallhttp://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm499858.htm
Ajinomoto Windsor, Inc. is voluntarily recalling various Not-Ready-To Eat frozen food items due to the potential for these products to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. This voluntary action is being undertaken in cooperation with the US Food and Drug Administration because the recalled products contain vegetables that are part of the recent CRF Frozen Foods recall.

Updated: Stahlbush Island Farms, Inc. Recalls IQF Green Beans Because of Possible Health Riskhttp://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm499775.htm
Stahlbush Island Farms, Inc. (SIFI) of Corvallis, Ore., is voluntarily recalling 10 oz. Stahlbush® IQF Green Bean retail packages because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

Hy-Vee Voluntarily Recalls Frozen Hy-Vee Vegetable Fried Rice and Frozen Hy-Vee Chicken Fried Rice Due to Possible Health Risk
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm501017.htm
Hy-Vee, Inc., based in West Des Moines, Iowa, is voluntarily recalling its frozen Hy-Vee Vegetable Fried Rice and frozen Hy-Vee Chicken Fried Rice products across its eight-state region due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
The potential for contamination was discovered after Ajinomoto Windsor, Hy-Vee’s supplier, announced they were recalling specific frozen foods due to the potential for Listeria monocytogenes.

Dr. Praeger's Sensible Foods, Inc. Announces Voluntary Recall of Various Dr. Praeger's and Ungar's Products Related to CRF Frozen Vegetable Recall for Possible Health Risk
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm501243.htm
Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods, Inc. is voluntarily recalling various not-ready-to-eat frozen food items due to the potential for these products to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. This voluntary action is being undertaken in cooperation with the US Food and Drug Administration because the recalled products contain vegetables that are part of the recent CRF Frozen Foods recall.

Voluntary Recall on Piggly Wiggly Brand Yellow Cut Corn
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm500859.htm
As part of the CRF Frozen Foods recall, McCall Farms Incorporated is notifying consumers that it is recalling Piggly Wiggly brand frozen Yellow Cut Corn due to the potential risk that it may contain Listeria monocytogenes. McCall Farms was notified by its supplier, CRF Frozen Foods, of this potential contamination. No other McCall Farms products have been affected by this recall.

LISTERIA IN WALNUTS

HMSHost Recalls Multiple Brands of Cape Cod Cranberry Trail Mix Because of Possible Health Riskhttp://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm501041.htm
HMSHost of Bethesda, Maryland is recalling multiple brands of trail mix, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. HMSHost was recently notified by one of its snack manufacturers, Woodstock Farms Manufacturing, that during their routine testing, the presence of Listeria monocytogenes was revealed in two lots of walnuts used in one of its trail mixes

 LISTERIA IN SUNFLOWER SEEDS

The Quaker Oats Company Issues Voluntary Recall of Quaker Quinoa Granola Bars Due to Possible Health Risk
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm501248.htm
The Quaker Oats Company, a subsidiary of PepsiCo, Inc., today announced a voluntary recall of a small quantity of Quaker Quinoa Granola Bars after an ingredient supplier was found to have distributed sunflower kernels that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (L.mono).

CRF Recall Triggers Recalls by Additional Processors and Retailers

A number of other packers of frozen foods issued recalls after an ingredient supplier, CRF issued a recall last week.  What started off as a massive recall continues to get bigger as product produced by CRF was repacked by other frozen food companies.

The list below in includes recalls from Stahlbush Island Farms, Harris Teeter, Twin Cities, Pictsweet, and NORPAC.

CRF Vegetables Leads to Recall of Fried Rice Product Which Leads to Recall of Chicken Fried Rice Product

In a series of recalls following the CRF vegetable recall - Ajinomoto Windsor, Inc recalled its fried rice products because they had CRF as a supplier of the vegetables used in the rice mixes.  This then triggered Garland Ventures LTD, a Garland, Texas establishment to recall 114,870 pounds of chicken fried rice products.  Both items are considered not ready-to-eat.

FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm499858.htm
Ajinomoto Windsor Recall of Products Related to CRF Frozen Vegetable Recall
For Immediate Release
May 7, 2016

Related Frozen Foods Recalls Point to Weakness in Supply Chain Controls - Only as Good as Your Supplier's Supplier

Two recalls for Listeria have been announced in wake of the CRF frozen produce recall, with probably more to come,   One is from ConAgra Foods for organic frozen corn and peas sold under the Trader Joe's and Watts Brother labels.  The other issued recall was by a Texas firm that is recalling fresh corn relish and bean salad.  There will no doubt be more recalls to come as companies evaluate their supply chain.

At the heart of this is a very complex supply chain. CRF and Oregon Potato, two frozen food companies based in the Northwest are ground zero.  The problem is that these companies produce product not only for retailers, but also for other manufactures through sales of bulk frozen product.  What happens is this...as these seasonal produce items are harvested, much of it goes into bulk.  Bulk allows manufacturers to repack product as needed to meet customer demand throughout the year. Within a given season, one company may pack more corn than they have sales for, so they sell bulk product to someone else who needs that product to fill their own orders.  These transfers occur throughout the year and allow companies to be efficient in meeting the demand of their customers.  That is the good part.

The problem arises when one of the companies has an issue, say Listeria, that then affects the whole chain.   For example, Company A is repacking some mixed vegetable product and needs to purchase bulk peas or onions form Supplier B to help fill the order..  Now Company A, who has a great internal Listeria program, purchases Supplier B who may or may not have a good Listeria Program.. Supplier B provides a COA showing that lot was good (Listeria negative).  But FDA makes a visit to Supplier B and in conducting environmental testing, they find Listeria in Supplier B's facility..  It could even be that Supplier B sold product to another company who is then implicated in an outbreak that traces back to Supplier B.  In these cases, Company A must conduct a recall.

This can even go further back.  Supplier B was a little short on onions and purchased onions from Supplier C to help fill their order to Company A. And it is found that Supplier C has an issue.  That issue now becomes a problem for Supplier B as well as Company A.  And if Company A is producing product for 10 different retailers, now you have a whole lot of retailers having to recall product.  And if Supplier C was also selling bulk product to two other repacking companies who were producing product for a dozen more retailers, we can easily see how this can expand.

It is difficult to ensure that suppliers are adequately controlling risk, it can even be harder to make sure that the supplier's supplier is adequately controlling risk.  Unfortunately, as logistics / purchasing people look to take advantage of co-packing opportunities, the true cost of risk control may not be considered.  These costs can include extensive product testing, on-site visits, insistence that supplier institute aggressive Listeria control programs, etc.  To be fair, Listeria control was probably not on many people mind when these deals were made.  However, moving forward, it must become a part of the picture.


FDA Recall Notices
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm499623.htm
Company Announcement
When a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, the FDA posts the company's announcement as a public service. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.
Watts Brothers Farms Organic Mixed Vegetables, Organic Super Sweet Corn, And Organic Peas And Trader Joe's Organic Super Sweet Corn Recalled Because Of Possible Health RiskFor Immediate Release

Massive Recall of Frozen Vegetables Follows Linkage to Listeria Outbreak

A Washington state frozen food manufacturer is recalling frozen vegetable products affecting approximately 2 years of production, 358 consumer products sold under 42 separate brands

This was an expansion of a recall that was issued on April 23rd after the Ohio state health officials reported the finding.  Since that time, it had been linked to 8 cases.  (2 deaths are listed on the CDC website, but they state it was not due to Listeria.  Complications from Listeria?).  CRF had suspended operations after the first recall in April and had not resumed production.  FDA did isolate Listeria monocytogenes from the facility and "...... were found to be closely related genetically to seven of the isolates of ill people associated with this outbreak."

In the CDC report [below], a linkage was made after the Ohio state isolated the organism from frozen product.  It does not appear this product was sampled because of linkage to the outbreak in that the report states there were no reported illnesses.   It is also important to not that while 2 cases were from 2016, the other cases were said to have been done in a 'retrospective analysis' where the DNA from the isolated organism was matched against past outbreak cases.


According to the CDC Report, "Whole genome sequencing showed that the Listeria isolate from the frozen corn was closely related genetically to seven bacterial isolates from ill people, and the Listeria isolate from the frozen peas was closely related genetically to one isolate from an ill person.  The way his case has unfolded looks very similar to the Blue Bell outbreak/recall.

The products include organic and non-organic broccoli, butternut squash, carrots, cauliflower, corn, edamame, green beans, Italian beans, kale, leeks, lima beans, onions, peas, pepper strips, potatoes, potato medley, root medley, spinach, sweet potatoes, various vegetable medleys, blends, and stir fry packages, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, peaches, raspberries, and strawberries.  Brands include Trader Joes, Kirkland, and Great Value as well as others.

There are some things that would be good to know.
1)  The products in question required cooking....were they cooked by the consumers who became ill?
2)  The report states that he Listeria isolated from product and in the outbreak cases were closely related.  How close is close?
3) What type of Listeria Control Program did the facility have?



FDA News Release
http://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm499157.htm
FDA Investigates Listeria Outbreak Linked to Frozen Vegetables

May 4, 2016

What is the Problem and What is Being Done About It?

The FDA, CDC and state and local officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of listeriosis identified in March 2016.

Frozen Vegetables Recalled due to Positive Listeria Tests

 A Washington state firm is recalling frozen vegetables after a lot of IQF organic peas and a lot of IQF organic corn tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.  The testing was completed by Ohio state health officials.  There have been no injuries to report.

FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm497297.htm
CRF Frozen Foods Recalls Frozen Vegetables Due to Possible Health Risk

Frozen Broccoli Recalled Due to Positive Listeria Test

 Alimentos Congelados, S.A. (Pinula) is recalling bagged frozen broccoli from 11 states after the Ohio Department of Agriculture tested and found positive a sample for Listeria monocytogenes. 
The Wylwood brand is an exclusive brand of Save-A-Lot, a discount grocery chain.  Alimentos Congelados is a Guatemalan company.

Frozen broccoli would be blanched prior to freezing, which should eliminate Listeria.  The Listeria in this case would be post-process contamination.  It is not know to us whether this product was packed overseas, never the less, it would be important for the processing facility to have an active Listeria control program.  This product would generally be cooked by the consumer, which if done sufficiently, would eliminate the Listeria.

If imported product, then this should put attention on supplier control and that supplier's ability to control Listeria in the post-blanching environment with attention on eliminating sources of cross-contamination, practicing proper sanitation, and conducting monitoring.


 


FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm493849.htm
Alimentos Congelados, S.A. Recalls Frozen Broccoli Cuts Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
April 1, 2016

Contact
Consumers  Consumer Affairs 1-800-888-4646

Announcement
View Product Photos


Alimentos Congelados, S.A. (Pinula) is voluntarily recalling 1,800 cases of Frozen Broccoli Cuts because it has 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.

The Frozen Broccoli Cuts were distributed to stores in the following states: Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina.

The affected Frozen Broccoli Cuts were distributed in poly bags under the following label and code:
WYLWOOD Fresh Frozen Broccoli Cuts, NET WT. 16 OZ (1 LB), UPC 5193300110, with bag code: A25335P and A15335P

The company has not received any complaints in relation to this product and is not aware of any illnesses associated with the product to date.

The recall was the result of retail package of Frozen Broccoli Cuts being tested by the State of Ohio Department of Agriculture. The Frozen Broccoli Cuts had tested positive for Listeria Monocytogenes. The company has ceased distribution of Frozen Broccoli Cuts, and is fully cooperating with regulatory agencies.

Consumers who purchased the Frozen Broccoli Cuts are urged not to consume this product and throw it away. Consumers requiring refund or with questions can contact the company at 1-800-888-4646 and ask for Consumer Affairs Monday thru Friday between 8:00AM and 5:00 PM EST.