FDA Issues Warning on Bagged and Loose Peaches Due to Salmonella, Retailers Issue Recalls

Update (8/22) - FDA is including bagged peaches and peaches sold loose.  "On August 22, 2020, Prima Wawona expanded their recall to include bagged and bulk, or loose, peaches that they supplied to retailers nationwide."  The retailer Wegmans issued recalls for peaches as well as other products the store made from peaches.  Other retail brands were also recalled including Kroger and Prima.

FDA issued a warning on Wawona-brand bagged peaches sold at ALDI. FDA states in this warning that they are "investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections potentially linked to bagged peaches sold at ALDI stores in multiple states. The peaches are in Wawona-brand 2-pound, clear plastic bags sold in ALDI stores from June 1, 2020 until present. Based on information collected from ill persons, CDC has identified bagged peaches from ALDI stores as a likely source of Salmonella Enteritidis infections. As of August 19, 2020, CDC is reporting a total of 68 cases across 9 states.

For this level of contamination on tree fruit, there seems that the packing facility would need to be involved. One could guess the washing/rinsing system would need to have had the contamination. And with a product packed like this, it could appear as a ready-to-eat item so the consumer may be less likely to wash before eating. Not to say that the recommended washing, which is rinsing under running water, would eliminate a high level of contamination.

ALDI is voluntarily recalling assorted peaches received from this supplier, Wawona Packing Company.

ALDI has removed the affected peaches from select ALDI stores in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin and West Virginia

FDA Outbreak Investigation
https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-enteritidis-bagged-peaches-august-2020
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Enteritidis: Bagged Peaches (August 2020)
Do not eat, sell, or serve Wawona-brand bagged peaches sold at ALDI stores in multiple states
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 68
Hospitalizations: 14
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset Date: August 3, 2020
States with Cases: IA, MD, MI, MN, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WI
Product Distribution*: CT, IA, IL, KY, MA, MI, MN, ND, NH, NY, OH, RI, SD, VT, WI, WV
*Distribution has been confirmed for states listed, but product could have been distributed further, reaching additional states