Wawona Packing Company of Cutler, Calif. is voluntarily recalling certain lots of whole peaches (white and yellow), nectarines (white and yellow), plums, and pluots packed between June 1, 2014 through July 12, 2014 due to the potential of the products being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Wawona Packing has notified retailers of the specific lots being recalled. No other products are impacted by this recall. No illnesses have been linked to this recall to date.
Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which 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.
According to Reuters, the company sells produce to national wholesalers. Costco, Trader Joe’s, Kroger, and Walmart, which operates Walmart and Sam’s Club stores, have all posted notices about the fruit recall on their websites.
The recalled products were shipped directly to retailers and wholesalers who resell the products. Because the locations of the companies that purchased the products from direct customers are unknown, the company is issuing a nationwide recall.
Wawona Packing has already notified its business customers and requested that they remove the recalled products from commerce. Wawona Packing is voluntarily recalling these products in consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The recall was initiated based on internal company testing. The company shut down the implicated packing lines, retrofitted equipment, sanitized the facility, and retested. Subsequent daily test results have been negative.
“We are aware of no illnesses related to the consumption of these products,” says Brent Smittcamp, President of Wawona Packing Co. “By taking the precautionary step of recalling product, we will minimize even the slightest risk to public health, and that is our priority.”
Release Date: July 19, 2014
Source: FDA