On May 2, the FDA posted a recall of Trader Joe's and CRF Food Products due to a possible health risk — specifically Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria associated with the contamination of frozen vegetables. The recall includes all of the frozen products that have come out of CRF Food Products' frozen facilities since May 1, 2014, or anything that expires between the dates of April 26, 2016 and April 26, 2018. CRF Food Products, based in Pasco, Washington, retails in many other locations, but Trader Joe's is the largest retailer of their products.
Trader Joe's has responded to the recall by asking consumers to return any of the following for a full refund:
Trader Joe's Organic Peas (SKU/Barcode 00496636)
Trader Joe's Petite Peas (SKU/Barcode 00122689)
Trader Joe's Organic Whole Green Beans (SKU/Barcode 00169219)
Trader Joe's Broccoli Florettes (SKU/Barcode 00542784)
Trader Joe's Organic Foursome (SKU/Barcode 00908672)
"We have been alerted by one of our frozen vegetable suppliers that the following products, from any lot containing the code “BF” [e.g. 115 16 BF 22:58 C PRODUCT OF USA], may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes," says Trader Joe's press release. "Out of an abundance of caution, all products from this supplier have been removed from store shelves. If you purchased any of the affected vegetable products with the 'BF' code, please do not eat them. We urge you to discard the product or return it to any Trader Joe’s for a full refund."
According to the CDC, Listeria "primarily affects older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems," and is marked by fever, aches, and muscle fatigue.
The FDA cautions further in their announcement: "The organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women."
Trader Joe's urges customers with any questions to contact them, either through Trader Joe’s Customer Relations at (626) 599-3817 [Monday through Friday, 6:00 am to 6:00 pm Pacific Time] or their contact page. For a complete list of affected vendors, see the FDA's release here.
Images: Getty Images; Trader Joe's
