Over 400 Products Recalled Due To Potential Listeria Contamination

What’s the story?

• Over 400 products were recalled because of a possible listeria contamination, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced last week. 
• The products recalled by Fresh Ideation Food Group LLC include ready-to-eat sandwiches, salads, yogurts, wraps, and more, sold in nine states — Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia and Washington, D.C. — from Jan. 24 to Jan. 30. 
• According to the company, no illnesses have been reported so far, but “[t]he recall was initiated after the company’s environmental samples tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.”

What’s the risk?

• Listeria is a bacteria that can cause severe infection, known as listeriosis. 
• Listeriosis is a foodborne illness that can have serious health impacts on pregnant women, people over the age of 65, and those with lowered immune systems. It can lead to severe complications, like meningitis, septicemia, miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, and even death. 
• While antibiotics are available for treatment, health experts emphasize that prevention is best. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said an estimated 1,600 are diagnosed with listeriosis each year, and around 260 die. 

What to look out for

• The company said its products could be easily identified:

“All recall products have a Fresh Creative Cuisine label and/or identifier on the bottom of the label with the Fresh Creative Cuisine name and fresh through or sell through date ranging from January 21, 2023 through February 6, 2023.”

• The products include bacon, egg, and cheddar muffins, breakfast croissants, chicken and tuna sandwiches, fruit cups, salads, yogurts, wraps, and “related products.” Fresh Creative Cruisine said the products were sold in stores, vending machines, and by transportation providers.
• Find the complete list of products here.

Should companies test for dangerous bacteria before their products are sold to the public?

-Jamie Epstein

(Photo credit: iStock/Hailshadow)