Garden Fresh Foods Salad Recall Issued Due to Listeria Risk

Garden Fresh Foods has recalled various ready-to-eat salads amid concerns that they may be contaminated with the bacteria Listeria monocytogens, which poses a risk of serious and potentially life-threatening health consequences to consumers.  

A Garden Fresh Foods ready to eat salads recall was announced by the FDA on September 21, after it was reported that the products may be contaminated.

Although no illnesses or cases of food poisoning have been reported in connection with the salads, the contamination may pose a risk of listeriosis, which could pose a particular risk for children, the elderly, pregnant women and individuals with a weakened immune system.

The recall includes various prepared salads, slaw, and dip products packaged in containers ranging from 6 ounce to 18 ounce and sold under the following brand names; 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 products were distributed to retail and food service stores in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Texas, Florida, Massachusetts, Missouri, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and California. A full list of recalled products may be found here.

Listeria infections may result in symptoms like nausea, muscle ache, diarrhea, fever, and fatigue. In severe cases for the elderly and young children, the bacteria could spread through the bloodstream to the nervous system resulting in sometimes fatal infections. For pregnant women, listeriosis can pose a risk of miscarriages and still births.

Listeriosis has become more prevalent and concerning than some of the more common contaminations such as Salmonella, simply because most people do not experience symptoms immediately and a blood test is required to make a diagnosis.

The company 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.