Listeria Food Poisoning Fears Lead to Avocado Recall

More than 1,400 cases of avocado pulp and 1,800 cases of avocado halves from Fine Mexican Food Products (FMP) have been recalled from shelves due to the risk of listeria food poisoning. 

The FMP avocado recall was announced on September 13 by the FDA, after multiple tests detected Listeria Monocytogenes in products packaged at the company’s Peru facility. However, there have been no reported cases of food poisoning associated with the contaminated avocados.

Cases of 12/2 lb. Frozen Avocado Pulp and IQF 8/3 lb. Avocado Halves distributed to distributors in California since June 2010 are affected by the recall. Both products have a white FMP label on the corrugated shipping carton. The avocado pulp was sold distributed in 2.2 lb. bags with a product code of 00115. The IQF avocado halves were in 3 lbs. bags with a product code of 00131. The recalled avocado products have expiration dates ranging from June to August 2012.

FMP has stopped production of the recalled products while the source of the listeria contamination is under investigation.

Listeria infections, also known as listeriosis, pose a particular risk for children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. For pregnant women, illness from Listeria bacteria can cause miscarriages and still births. The fatality rate associated with listeriosis is about 25%.

Blood tests are usually required to diagnose listeriosis, which can be treated with antibiotics. Symptoms of listeriosis include muscle aches, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, severe headaches and fever. If the bacteria spreads from the intestines to the bloodstream and nervous system, it could cause meningitis and other complications.

Anyone with the recalled avocado products should return them to the distributor as soon as possible. For more information, call Fine Mexican Food Products, Recall Procedures, at (909)947-4296.