This past Monday, the FDA released a statement that Trader Joe's recalled five frozen vegetable products that came out of CRF Food Products' frozen facilities that may have been contaminated with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. Today Trader Joe's announced a recall of their Broccoli & Kale Salad with White Chicken Meat, the first prepared food to be affected by the recall, and also updated their initial list of potentially contaminated frozen vegetables to include their Organic Super Sweet Cut Corn. That brings the sum total of recalled products to seven, and includes:
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)
Trader Joe’s Super Sweet Cut Corn (SKU/Barcode 00299633)
*Trader Joe’s Broccoli Slaw & Kale Salad with White Chicken Meat, Sunflower Seeds, Cranberries, And A Sweet & Spicy Vinaigrette (SKU 50286)
It is important to note that the recall of the salad only affects the states of California, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada, and only those with an expiration date between May 2 and May 7. Specifically, the sunflower seeds may have been affected by Listeria.
As for the frozen vegetables, CRF Food Products, based out of Pasco, Washington has issued a recall on all of the frozen products that have come out of their frozen facilities since May 1, 2014, or anything that expires between the dates of April 26, 2016 and April 26, 2018. Trader Joe's is one of many affected retail chains, the complete list of which can be found here.
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria associated with frozen vegetables, the symptoms of which include fever, aches, and muscle fatigue. According to the CDC, Listeria "primarily affects older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems."
The FDA also issued a warning in its release of the recall of the dangers of Listeria to vulnerable populations: "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 is urging customers to discard the affected products or return them in-store for a full refund. Customers with any questions can reach them at Trader Joe’s Customer Relations at (626) 599-3817 [Monday through Friday, 6:00 am to 6:00 pm Pacific Time], or send an email through their contact page.
Images: Trader Joe's
