FDA Recalls Potatoes and Citrus Fruits for Potential Listeria Contamination

A number of food items have been recalled after a potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination was discovered. Freshouse, a North Carolina-based company, has issued a recall for a number of brands of Red B Potatoes, Lemons, Limes, Organic Limes, and Valencia Orange. According to news reports, the voluntary recall was issued following a routine internal inspection in which Freshouse identified listeria on some of the equipment in the company’s packing facilities.

Details of the Recall

The company said it has stopped production and distribution of the products that were packed on the equipment and is taking corrective action with regard to its cleaning and sanitizing regimes. The products being recalled can be identified by looking for the brand, UPC number, and trace number printed on the tag or clip attached to the opening end of the bag. All items were directly shipped to retail distribution centers in several states. So far, no illnesses have been recorded because of the affected items.

If you believe you have these affected products in your home, don’t consume them. The FDA tells consumers to destroy the product so others don’t consume it, and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Freshouse has notified its retail and wholesale customers who received the products

Dangers of Listeria

Listeriosis is a food-borne illness caused by consuming food that is tainted with the bacterium. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the infection is most likely to affect pregnant women and babies, the elderly (adults older than 65), and people with weakened immune systems. In pregnant women, listeriosis could lead to miscarriages or stillbirths. About 1,600 get listeriosis each year in the U.S. and approximately 260 die each year as a result of this infection.

Those who develop a listeria infection may experience symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea. Symptoms may begin a few days after you’ve eaten the contaminated food, but it may take as long as 30 days or more before the first signs and symptoms of the infection begin. If the listeria infection spreads to your nervous system, you may also experience symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, or changes in alertness, loss of balance, and convulsions.

If you have developed a listeria infection as the result of a food product contaminated by the bacteria, be sure to get prompt medical attention, treatment, and care. Report your illness to your local health care agency, which tends to track trends in food-borne illnesses. Contact an experienced food poisoning lawyer who can help you secure compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

Source: https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/food/potatoes-lemons-limes-oranges-recall