Prepared Salads Recalled for Listeria and Salmonella Contamination

Corn that could be possibly contaminated is behind a recall involving prepared salads sold by major retailers including Wal-Mart, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. According to a CBS news report, GHSE, a Florida-based company, is recalling 738 pounds of ready-to-eat salads that contain corn, which may be contaminated with salmonella and listeria. So far, no illnesses have been reported, federal officials say.

Recall Affects Stores Nationwide

The recall includes Wal-Mart brand Marketside’s “Fiesta Salad with Steak” with use-by dates of Oct. 17 through Oct. 20. These salads were shipped to retail locations in Florida Georgia and South Carolina. The problem was discovered when GHSE was notified that their supplier recalled the corn due to contamination issues. On the same day, GH Foods of Sacramento, Calif. recalled about 940 pounds of ready-to-eat salad sold at Whole Foods, also due to tainted corn.

A separate but similar recall for about 916 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken wrap and salad products containing possibly tainted corn was issued by Mary’s Harvest Fresh Foods, Portland, Oregon, for products sold under its own brand as well as Trader Jose, Trader Joe’s house brand for Mexican food. Trader Joe’s posted a recall for the Trader Jose’s salad and two of its house brand salads on its website.

Potential for Severe Illnesses

According to news reports, these salads could result in salmonella and listeria infections. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that salmonella causes about 1.2 million illnesses and 450 deaths each year in the United States. Symptoms include abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting. About 1,600 people get listeriosis each and 260 die, the CDC states. Both salmonella and listeria infections could result in serious illnesses and even long-time health complications. Listeriosis could cause miscarriages or stillbirths in pregnant women. Young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are most vulnerable to food poisoning.

If you have any of these products at home that you have not consumed, discard them or return them to the point of purchase for a refund. If you have been sickened by one of these products, isolate and preserve it so it can be independently tested in a laboratory for the presence of pathogens. Be sure to get prompt medical attention, treatment and care. Contact an experienced California food poisoning lawyer who can help you obtain compensation for your losses such as medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, pain and suffering and emotional distress.

Source: https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2018/10/19/whole-foods-trader-joes-walmart-recall-salad-corn/