Fresh Fruit Products At Walmart Linked to Listeria
To many, Walmart is the one-stop shopping
destination for all consumer needs from clothing and hardware to toys
and sports equipment. Of course, the primary purpose of this massive
multinational hypermarket conglomerate is to provide us with a wide
array of groceries and fresh fruits and vegetables at a reasonable
price.
As one of the largest retailers in the country, Walmart stocks numerous
different brands of each item. One particular brand of assorted packaged
fresh fruits is being recalled due to possible bacterial contamination
that could cause severe food poisoning.
What has been recalled?
On October 3rd, 2020, the company Country
Fresh announced a voluntary recall of a large number of items,
specifically under the category of packaged fruits. The recall applies
to pre-cut and packaged fresh fruit including sliced red and green
apples, chunks of cantaloupe, pineapple and mango, red grapes as well as
seasonal blends and mixes of various fruits (including summer blend,
tropical blend, and seasonal blend). The sizes of the packages range
from 5 ounces to 40 ounces, and evidently, all packages being recalled
bear the "best used by" dates as October 3rd, 2020 to October 11th,
2020.
Why were the fruits recalled?
The recall was announced after it was
discovered that equipment near the packaging area of the products was
contaminated with a parasitic bacteria called Listeria that could be
potentially harmful if spread. No illnesses have been reported to or by
the recalling company Country Fresh so far.
The recall applies to possibly affected fruit which has been sent solely
to Walmart outlets located in Kentucky, Missouri, Indiana, Kansas,
Illinois, Louisiana, and Arkansas. In case of consumption or even
possible consumption, reach out to a medical professional immediately as
the infection must be treated early.
What is Listeria?
Listeria is the name of an entire genus of
intracellular parasitical bacteria that can spread in mammals. While
there are over 20 different species of this bacterium, the one that has
the direst effects in humans is called Listeria monocytogenes, the same
species possibly present in the recalled fruit packages. Eating food
contaminated with this bacteria can lead to a form of food poisoning
called Listeriosis which can cause severe gastroenteritis.
A healthy person is unlikely to be severely affected by the bacteria,
though complications may arise and risks remain. Elderly people,
pregnant women, toddlers, infants, newborn children, and anyone with a
weakened immune system are most susceptible to this bacterial infection.
The incubation period of this disease varies between 3 and 70 days.
Listeriosis initially manifests in the form of chills, fever, muscle
aches, diarrhea, and nausea.
Since the incubation period is so long, it
can take up to 30 days for symptoms to begin to show so if you are aware
of a possible contamination, it is best not to wait for symptoms to
seek help. If anyone in your family has consumed the tainted fruit,
reach out to a medical professional immediately as a steady course of
antibiotics can be a highly effective treatment. Failing to treat the
infection early on can result in it spreading to the nervous system
which can cause convulsions, stiff joints, cognitive lapses, headaches,
and loss of balance.
In pregnant women, a listeria infection is likely to manifest itself in
the form of mild symptoms which may go unnoticed. The effects on the
baby can be far more severe and can affect the fetus within the womb as
well as after birth. Seeking treatment immediately can aid in stopping
the spread of the infection.
What can we do?
First things first, being aware can help
immensely. Stay informed of possible listeria monocytogenes
contamination in food products and recall announcements of food that may
be infected, and cross-check the same against products in your grocery
store. In case you have purchased food products that may potentially be
contaminated, speak to your doctor immediately, especially if you have
any elderly, pregnant, or immunodeficient members in your family.
Given the high fatality rate of this illness (between 20 - 30%), avoid
taking chances in case there is any potential of accidental consumption.
The recall affects product codes of various fresh fruit items shipped directly to Walmart retail distribution centers and sent to select stores located in AR, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MO, OK, and TX. The products were packaged in various size clam shell containers (see photos). The “best if used by” dates are between October 3, 2020 and October 11, 2020 and the products are as follows:
The recall affects product codes of various fresh fruit items shipped directly to Walmart retail distribution centers and sent to select stores located in AR, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MO, OK, and TX. The products were packaged in various size clam shell containers (see photos). The “best if used by” dates are between October 3, 2020 and October 11, 2020 and the products are as follows:
| UPC | Item Description | Best if used by: | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68113118012 | APPLE GRAPE TRAY w/ CARMEL 2 lbs 10oz | 10/7/2020 | 10/8/2020 | - |
| 68113118006 | GREEN APPLE SLICES 32oz | 10/8/2020 | 10/9/2020 | 10/10/2020 |
| 68113118007 | MIXED APPLE SLICES 32oz | 10/8/2020 | 10/9/2020 | 10/10/2020 |
| 68113118004 | RED APPLE SLICES 14oz | 10/10/2020 | 10/11/2020 | - |
| 68113118010 | RED APPLE SLICES 32oz | 10/8/2020 | 10/9/2020 | - |
| 68113118014 | CANTALOUPE CHUNKS 10oz | 10/3/2020 | 10/4/2020 | 10/5/2020 |
| 68113118015 | CANTALOUPE CHUNKS 16oz | 10/3/2020 | 10/4/2020 | 10/5/2020 |
| 68113118023 | SEASONAL FRUIT TRAY 40oz | 10/3/2020 | 10/4/2020 | - |
| 68113135509 | SUMMER BLEND 5oz | 10/3/2020 | 10/4/2020 | - |
| 68113135510 | TROPICAL BLEND 5oz | 10/3/2020 | 10/4/2020 | - |
| 68113118037 | MANGO CHUNK 10oz | 10/3/2020 | 10/4/2020 | - |
| 68113118038 |
MANGO SPEARS 16oz | 10/4/2020 | - | - |
| 68113118039 | PINEAPPLE GRAPE MANGO BLEND 16oz | 10/3/2020 | 10/4/2020 | 10/5/2020 |
| 68113118042 | PINEAPPLE CHUNKS 10oz | 10/3/2020 | - | - |
| 68113118046 | PINEAPPLE CHUNKS 16oz | 10/4/2020 | - | - |
| 68113118043 | PINEAPPLE CHUNKS 42oz | 10/10/2020 | 10/11/2020 | - |
| 68113118044 | PINEAPPLE SPEARS 32oz | 10/5/2020 | - | - |
| 68113118047 | RED GRAPES 10oz | 10/4/2020 | - | - |
| 68113118048 | SEASONAL BLEND 10oz | 10/3/2020 | 10/4/2020 | - |
| 68113118049 | SEASONAL BLEND 16oz | 10/3/2020 | 10/4/2020 | 10/5/2020 |
| 68113118050 | SEASONAL BLEND 32oz | 10/5/2020 | - | - |
| 68113118069 | SEASONAL TRIO 32oz | 10/3/2020 | 10/4/2020 | 10/5/2020 |
Country Fresh has not received any reports of illnesses to date. Walmart retail stores are removing the recalled product from store shelves and inventories immediately. Customers who have any recalled product on the list should not consume it and discard it immediately.
This recall is being undertaken with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Country Fresh takes food safety matters very seriously, stringently follows all mandated regulations and implements preventive measures designed to minimize potential risks. Country Fresh is working in close coordination with FDA in its continuing investigation to resolve the matter promptly and deeply regrets the inconvenience to our consumers and customers.
If you have any questions, please contact Customer Service at: 1-877-251-8300 Monday – Friday 8 AM to 5PM CST
It is always safer to buy a whole fruit, than buy cut fruits. I never eat salads when I go for a party or a wedding, as it must have been cut long time back, don't know how hygienic was the cutting board, the person's hands. Nor do I eat anything cold when I go for a party / wedding/ any function, as in hot items even if bacteria was present, gets killed by the heat. Eat healthy, stay safe.