Peach, Plum, Nectarine Recall Issued Due to Listeria Risk

A supplier is recalling peaches, plums, nectarines and other fruits that may have been sold at Wegmans, Costco, BJs, Trader Joe and other stores nationwide, due to a potential risk that they may contain a food-borne organism that can cause serious and potentially life-threatening listeria infections. 

A Wawona fruit recall was announced by the FDA on July 19, following test results that suggested the products may be contaminated with listeria monocytogens.

Although no reports of listeria food poisoning have been reported in connection with the recalled fruit, exposure to the bacteria may pose a serious risk, especially for young children, the elderly and pregnant women.

The recall includes certain lots of whole peaches, nectarines, plums, and plouts packaged between June 1, 2014 and July 12, 2014 by Wawona Packaging Company of Cutler, California. The affected products were shipped directly to retailers and wholesalers such as Wegmans, Costco, BJs, and Trader Joe.

Since Wawona does not know the locations of the companies that purchased the products from their direct customers, they are issuing a nationwide recall. Consumers may identify the recalled lots of fruits by visiting http://www.wawonapacking.com/ for a full list of recalled lot numbers.

Wawona announced in their recall that only these particular fruit products are being recalled at the time. Following the internal company testing that found listeria monocytogens present, Wawona shut down the implicated packing lines, retrofitted equipment, sanitized the facility, and retested. The subsequent daily test results showed no signs of listeria infection, the company claims.

Stemming from the wholesalers fruit recall, a Wegmans Food Market recall was announced for several in-store baked desserts that may have contained the potentially listeria-infected fruits. Wegmans announced a recalled of variety of fresh baked cakes, pies, tarts, and other pastries on July 20, 2014.

The Wegmans recall includes a large variety of fruit flavored whip creams, cheesecakes, short cakes, fruits strips, fruits tart, trifles, and crostata’s. For a full list of recalled products and their UPC codes please visit the recall announcement linked above.

According to health officials, about 2,500 cases of Listeriosis are reported each year, of which about 500 typically result in death. Symptoms of listerosis typically involve muscle ache, nausea, diarrhea, and fever but in more severe cases it can spread from the intestines in to the blood stream and nervous system causing meningitis and other complications. People most impacted by the infection are those with weakened immune systems such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. Listeria infections in pregnant women have been known to cause pregnancy complications and still births.

The FDA warns that customers should be aware of possible infection symptoms and should check their food supply for recalled items and contact either Wawona Packaging company if bought wholesale at 1-888-232-9912 or Wegmans if bought retail at 1-855-934-3663. Both companies are asking the products be discarded to prevent spread of infections.