Recalled Fruit Sold At Walmart, Publix and ALDI Stores Linked to Deadly Listeria Outbreak

Federal health officials are monitoring a listeria outbreak that has been linked to recalled peaches, plums, and nectarines sold at Walmart, Publix and other popular retailers nationwide in recent months.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a recent Listeria outbreak update, indicating the agency is now aware of at least 11 listeria infections caused by individuals consuming peaches, plums, and nectarines sold under the brand names HMC Farms and Signature Farms.

To date, the CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was aware of 10 hospitalizations and one death linked to the recalled fruit. The FDA indicates the agencies are continuing to actively monitor the outbreak and are instructing consumers to immediately stop consuming the recalled brands of peaches, plums, and nectarines.

Listeria is a bacteria that can cause serious or fatal infections. Healthy individuals exposed to listeria may experience fever, stiff neck, severe headache, vomiting, weakness, diarrhea, and confusion. However, those with weakened immune systems, young children and the elderly face a risk of severe or fatal complications.

In severe cases, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women, and if left untreated can result in severe health consequences, including meningitis, encephalitis, or endocarditis.

According to the CDC’s update issued earlier this month, officials have become aware of listeria infections in California, Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Florida between August 22, 2018, to August 16, 2023. One of the reported listeria infections was identified in a pregnant woman, who was forced into preterm labor due to the infection. The fatality reported in relation to the outbreak occurred in California.

On October 23, officials began collecting samples from HMC Farms peaches to test for listeria, and were able to confirm through DNA fingerprinting that the bacteria samples collected from sickened individuals are closely related genetically to the listeria found in samples of HMC Farms peaches.

HMC Farms Fruit Recall Over Listeria Contamination

After officials confirmed the presence of listeria in the products, an HMC Farms recall was announced on November 17, including whole peaches, nectarines, and plums sold in either bags branded HMC Farms or Signature Farms with a ‘’6359’’ sticker, or individually and marked with the following labels; Yellow peach #4044 or #4038, White peach #4401, Yellow nectarine #4036 or #4378, White nectarine #3035, Red plum #4042, Black plum #4040.

The recall indicates the recalled fruit products were sold between May 1, 2022 and November 15, 2022 and between May 1, 2023 and November 15, 2023 at the following retail outlets;

• Publix
• Wal-Mart
• Sam’s Club
• ALDI
• Sprouts Farmers Market

The FDA is instructing all customers and retailers to dispose of the recalled products and to thoroughly disinfect any containers, surface areas or utensils the products may have come in direct contact with to prevent the spread of listeria.

Consumers with recalled products are being encourage to contact HMC Farms information desk at 844-483-3867, Monday-Friday, 8:00a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.