Parkers Farm Issues Recall Due to Listeria Contamination

Minnesota-based Parkers Farm Acquisition, LLC has issued a massive recall for foods believed to be contaminated with listeria.

According to a press release issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the company is recalling certain peanut butter, cheese and salsa spreads after the state Department of Agriculture’s product sampling determined some of the products to be contaminated with listeria.

So far, there have been no reports of illnesses associated with the consumption of these products that were sold nationwide at a number of retail and wholesale outlets including Costco, Target, Whole Foods and Wal-Mart.

Anyone who has purchased any of these products is asked to return them to the place of purchase.

Recall Includes Range of Products

The recalled products include:

• 16-ounce Parkers peanut butter including creamy, crunchy, honey creamy and honey crunchy varieties with a sell-by date before 3/20/2015
• 34-ounce Parkers peanut butter with a sell-by date of 9/20/2014
• 12-ounce Parkers spreads including jalapeno and pimento varieties with a sell-by date of 9/20/2014
• 8-ounce and 16-ounce Parkers cold pack cheese with a sell-by date before 3/20/2015
• 16-ounce Parkers salsa with a sell-by date of 7/20/2014
• 10-ounce and 16-ounce Parkers cheese balls or logs with a sell-by date of 3/20/2015

Some other brands that were recalled include Central Markets, Hy-Top, Amish Classic, Say Cheez, Win Schuler and Bucky Badger cheeses, dips and salsas.

Anyone with questions is asked to contact the company at 1-800-869-6685 or visit their web site at parkersfarm.com

The Danger of Listeriosis

Listeriosis can cause serious symptoms including fever, headache, neck stiffness and nausea. It can also cause fatal infections in infants, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis can also lead to miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 260 deaths and 1,600 occur each year in the United States as a result of listeriosis.

Compensation for FoodBorne Illness Victims

If you have been sickened as a result of negligence on the part of the food producer, processor, distributor or server, you can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, hospitalization, diagnostic tests, pain and suffering and other damages and losses.

It is important that you preserve the suspect food so it can be tested in a laboratory for evidence of contamination.

Victims of foodborne illnesses would be well-advised to contact an experienced California foodborne illness lawyer, who will inform them about their legal rights and options.