Spartan Fresh Potato Salad Recall Due to Listeria Risk

A recall has been issued for potato salad sold at Spartan grocery stores, due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogens, a bacteria that poses a risk of serious and sometimes fatal health consequences for consumers.  

The Spartans Fresh Selections American potato salad recall was announced by the FDA on August 30, after routine testing confirmed the presence of listeria.

Although no cases of listeriosis associated with the potato salad have been reported to date, the infections pose a serious risk for young children and the elderly due to a weakened immune system. For pregnant women, liseria food poisoning injuries can pose a risk of miscarriages and still births.

The recall consists of Spartan Fresh Selections American potato salad packaged in 16 ounce plastic containers with UPC code number 0 11213 90320 0 and a use by date of 09/06/13.

The affected containers of potato salad were sold to Spartans Stores by Garden-Fresh Foods Inc. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and distributed to Spartan stores in Michigan and Toledo, Ohio.

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.

For healthy individuals listeria symptoms consist of fever, muscle aches, nausea, or diarrhea. Some people with weakened immune systems may develop more severe symptoms such as meningitis, mental changes, brain abscesses, or death.

The FDA recommends that consumers who still have the potentially contaminated product stop consuming it immediately and not open it if still sealed. They can return the product to the location of purchase for a full refund. Consumers may also contact Garden-Fresh Foods at 1-800-645-3367 for questions about the recall.