Fruits are a part of a healthy diet but not when they're contaminated with the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. If some happened to have recently purchased fruit products that were packed by Wawona Packing Co., they better take a look at these as they may be included in the list of food products that the California-based packing company has recalled.
Wawona announced on Tuesday, July 22, that it is recalling certain fruit products namely yellow and white peaches, yellow and white nectarines, plums and pluots that were packed at its warehouses in Cutler, California anywhere between June 1 and July 12 over concerns that the products may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.
Listeria infection could cause shot-term symptoms that include severe headache, stiffness, nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain but it can have more serious and potentially fatal effects on older adults, pregnant women and those with weakened immune system. The illness is the third leading cause of food poisoning-related deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A 2011 Listeria outbreak that involved cantaloupes from Colorado's Jensen Farms has sickened over 140 individuals and caused 30 deaths.
No illness has yet been reported involving Wawona's recalled products, which were sold in stores such as Trader Joe's, Costco, Walmart, Food 4 Less, Foods Co. and Ralphs stores. The company, however, said that it has already informed its business customers to stop selling the affected products.
"We are aware of no illnesses related to the consumption of these products" said Wawona Packing Co. President Brent Smittcamp."By taking the precautionary step of recalling product, we will minimize even the slightest risk to public health, and that is our priority."
The voluntary recall is initiated based on results of an internal company testing. Results of listeria tests conducted after the affected facility was temporarily closed, sanitized and retested, however, were already negative.
In its statement, Wawona said that it has shipped the affected products to wholesalers and retailers but since it does not know the locations of companies that bought the fruits from their direct customers, it decided to issue a nationwide recall. It has also issued a list [pdf] and photos of the recalled products to serve as reference for consumers.
Consumers who have purchased the products were advised not to eat them and throw them away. Those who have questions about the recall were also advised to contact Wawona Packing Co. at 1-888-232-9912, from Monday to Friday between 8am to 5pm ET.
