Garden Fresh Foods Expands Listeria Salad Recall

Garden Fresh Foods has expanded its recall of ready-to-eat salads, slaws and dips due to the potential risk that the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that causes serious and sometimes fatal infections.  

On September 21, a Garden Fresh Foods salad recall was announced for various products after random sample testing indicated the presence of listeria. The FDA announced on September 26 that additional products were being included in the recall due to their risk for contamination, and the salad recall was further expanded again on October 29. The recall was expanded again on October 29.

There are no known reports of food poisoning associated with this recall, but exposure to listeria bacteria can result in serious health complications, especially among pregnant women, young children, the elderly and those with a compromised immune system.

The initial recall included various products sold under the following name brands; Market Pantry, Archer Farms, D’Amico and Sons, Roudy’s, Grandpa’s, Maggie’s, Finest Traditions, Chef’s Kitchen, Garden-Fresh, Weis store brand, Spartans, and Portillo’s. The expansion of the recall includes Acme Homestyle, Dairy Fresh, Copperwood Kitchens, Old Tyme, Martins Rotisserie, Rogge’s, Spoon River, and Our Own brand names of the same type of food products.

The products were packaged in 2 pound to 5 pound containers and distributed to retail and food service stores in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Texas, Florida, Massachusetts, Missouri, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and California.

Listeria infections are associated with fatal complications in about 25% of all cases, and among pregnant women, illness may increase the risk of miscarriage or still births. Blood tests are usually required to diagnose listeriosis, which can be treated with antibiotics.

Symptoms of listeriosis for healthy individuals may 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.

Garden Fresh Foods recommends that customers with potentially contaminated products stop consuming them immediately and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may also contact Garden-Fresh Foods at 1-800-645-3367.