Hundreds of ready-to-eat fruit and vegetable packs sold on the East Coast are being recalled over fears they could be contaminated with listeria.
The FDA revealed the recall on Thanksgiving, affecting foods sold in grocery stores that were made by Gracie’s Kitchen.
Routine testing at its manufacturing center in New Haven, Connecticut, detected the potentially life-threatening bacteria.
More than 150 products sold in New York and Connecticut are affected, including batches of cauliflower florets, broccoli, watermelon spears, cups of mango, and trays of pre-prepared fruit.
All the foods went out of date before Thanksgiving, but it is possible that some customers froze them and then thawed them for the holiday. They were sold under the labels Gracie’s Kitchen, King Kullen and Wild by Nature.
No illnesses have been reported to date, but customers have been urged to throw out any that remain in freezers and contact the stores where they were purchased for a refund.
If you think you consumed one of the affected items and start feeling sick, the advice is to contact your doctor.
Listeria infections are particularly serious among young children, elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. In pregnant women, the infection can cause a miscarriage.
Hundreds of fresh fruit and vegetable products are being recalled in New York and Connecticut over a suspected listeria contamination (Stock image)
Healthy individuals can also suffer from a short-term illness due to the bacteria, with symptoms including a high fever, severe headache, stiffness and abdominal pain.
Last week, an infant in California died after catching listeria from ready-to-eat meat sold by South Carolina-based Yu Shang Food. More than 72,000lbs of meats from the company was recalled.
Revealing the latest recall, the FDA said the products were no longer for sale in stores and had past their sell-by date of up to November 24. They were manufactured between November 4 and 13.
People who fell ill are being urged to contact the FDA to report the infection.
The agency added: ‘This recall is being initiated after sampling indicated that Listeria was found in the environment. The firm is working with the FDA.’
A full list of the products being recalled was published on the FDA’s website.
The above shows a selection of labels used on the Gracie’s Kitchen products that were recalled
And this shows a selection of the labels on the King Kullen products that were recalled
The above shows a selection of the labels used on some of the Wild by Nature products that were recalled
It was not clear how the listeria entered the factory, but experts say it may be linked to vegetables entering the plant after being contaminated with the bacteria in the field.
They can then spread the bacteria onto equipment in the factory, with the equipment then spreading it to other food products.
Listeria is the third leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States, being behind 1,600 infections and 260 deaths every year.
Outbreaks can be detected via routine testing or via an investigation after illnesses are reported in a medical center.
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