“Minimally Processed” Vegetable Products Recalled for Possible Listeria

Originally published October 23; updated October 26, 2017 with additional recalls at end.

On October 19, 2017, Mann Packing of Salinas, California issued a voluntarily recall of minimally processed vegetable products for possible contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Mann Packing issued the recall in response to a single positive result found on one of their products during random sampling by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Mann Packing is issuing this recall out of an abundance of caution. To date, public health officials have not reported any illnesses associated with these products.

The recalled product has the potential to be contaminated with 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.

The recalled products were distributed throughout the United States and Canada with “best if used by” dates from October 11 to October 20 listed on the front of the packaging. For recalled products distributed at retail and foodservice, product names, UPC codes and “best if used by” dates are available in this Mann’s PDF. Brands affected include Mann, Archer Farms, HEB, Little Salad Bar, Signature Farms, Trader Joe’s Walmart, and more.

Mann Packing is fully cooperating with US and Canadian health officials on this recall. Mann Packing is contacting all affected customers to confirm that the recalled product is removed from store shelves.

Consumers who have purchased any recalled products listed below are urged not to consume them, discard them or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with further questions may contact Mann Packing on their 24-hour consumer line at 1.888.470.2681 or visit veggiesmadeeasy.com/products.

“As an owner of this company and a mom, providing safe and healthy foods to our consumers and their families is always our top priority,” said Gina Nucci, Director of Corporate Marketing. “This voluntary recall is a reflection of our commitment to ensuring the safety of our consumers.”

Following the Mann’s recall, additional Listeria-related recalls were issued due to use of Mann’s products by other food companies:

H-E-B Issues a Voluntary Precautionary Recall For Certain Single Serving Soups Sold In The Produce Section

Issued October 20, 2017:  In accordance with Mann Packing of Salinas, California, H-E-B announced that it had issued a voluntary recall for certain H-E-B single-serving soups made with vegetable products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. As part of a larger recall affecting several retailers, Mann Packing recalled affected vegetable products on October 19, which were supplied to H-E-B and used in H-E-B Asian Noodle Soup Cups Beef and Chicken.

There have not been any reports of illness regarding the soups made with product supplied by Mann Packing purchased from H-E-B stores. All product has been removed from H-E-B stores.

H-E-B is asking customers that may have purchased one of these products to return it to their nearest H-E-B store for a full refund.

The recall affects product sold in H-E-B stores in Texas, including the following:

Customers who purchased the affected products can return the products to the store for a full refund. Customers with any questions or concerns may contact H-E-B Customer Service at 1.855.432.4438, Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm (Central Standard Time).

Albertsons, Safeway, Vons and Pak N’ Save Stores in Eight States Voluntarily Recall Several Fresh Vegetable Trays and Cups

Issued October 20, 2017:  In cooperation with the Mann Packing recall of minimally processed vegetable products due to possible Listeria monocytogenescontamination, Albertsons, Safeway, Vons and Pak N’ Save stores in eight states are voluntarily recalling certain fresh vegetable trays and cups that include vegetables that are subject to the Mann Packing recall.

This recall impacts only the products in the stores and states listed below. The products have Sell Thru Dates up to and including 10-24-17 (October 24, 2017) and are packaged in clear plastic trays and cups of various sizes. The UPC code and Sell Thru Date can be found on the store scale label.

The following recalled products were sold in Safeway stores in California, Hawaii and Nevada; Pak’N Save stores in California; and Vons stores in Fresno, Clovis and Oakhurst, California.

The following recalled products were sold in Albertsons and Safeway stores in Colorado, Nebraska, Northwestern New Mexico, South Dakota and Wyoming.

No illnesses or injuries have been reported in connection with the Mann Packing recall. These products have been recalled out of an abundance of caution.

Customers who purchased the recalled product should discard or return it for a full refund. Customers who have questions about the recall can contact Mann Packing on their 24-hour consumer line at 1.888.470.2681 or visit veggiesmadeeasy.com/products. Customers can also contact Albertsons Companies at 1.877.723.3929.

Whole Foods Market Recalls Salads from 10 Northern California Stores

Issued October 20, 2017:  In response to Mann Packing’s recall, Whole Foods Market announced that it is voluntarily recalling some salads from ten stores in Northern California out of an abundance of caution. Mann Packing issued the recall because the vegetables may be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes. No illnesses have been reported to date.

The Whole Foods Market recall includes Veggie Power Blend, Sesame Chicken Power Salad, and Mexican Chicken Power Salad that were sold by the pound on salad bars between September 28, 2017 and October 20, 2017.

The products were sold at the following Whole Foods Market stores:

• 4315 Arden Way, Sacramento, CA
• 690 Stanyan Street, San Francisco, CA
• 414 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley, CA
• 3950 24th Street, San Francisco, CA
• 621 E. Washington Street, Petaluma, CA
• 450 Rhode Island, San Francisco, CA
• 340 Third Street, San Rafael, CA
• 100 Sunset Drive, San Ramon, CA
• 201 West Napa Street #11, Sonoma, CA
• 2941 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, CA

Customers who purchased this product at Whole Foods Market can bring a valid receipt into stores for a full refund. Consumers with additional questions can call 1.844.936.8255 Monday through Friday, 7am-10pm (CST), or Saturday-Sunday, 8am-6pm (CST).

Triple B Corporation (Anchorage, Alaska) Recalls Salad Kits and Stir Fry Mixes

Issued October 21, 2017:  Triple B Corporation of Anchorage, Alaska is voluntarily recalling broccoli florette’s, stir fry kit, vegie trays w/ cauliflower, and a veggie pack combo, due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

The broccoli used in processing these items has been recalled by our vendor Mann Packing of Salinas, California.

The following recalled products were distributed in state of Alaska through retail store delis.

At this time there has been no reported illness associated with these products and we have received no complaints regarding our products.

We were informed by our vendor that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s random sampling found a single positive result for Listeria monocytogenes on a Mann Packing Power Blend bagged salad product.

This recall is being made with the knowledge of the US Food and Drug Administration.

Consumers who may have any of the products listed in this recall alert are urged not to consume and should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with any questions may contact Michael Ruff, Director of Food Safety for Triple B, at 206.577.9852 Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm (PST).

Triple B Corporation (Seattle, Washington) Recalls Salad Kits and Stir Fry Mixes

Issued October 21, 2017:  Triple B Corporation of Seattle, Washington is voluntarily recalling salad kits and stir fry mixes due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

The broccoli used in processing these items has been recalled by our vendor Mann Packing of Salinas, California.

The following recalled salad kits and stir fry mixes were distributed in the states of Oregon and Washington through retail store delis, hospitals, schools and hotels.

At this time there has been no reported illness associated with these products and we have received no complaints regarding our products.

We were informed by our vendor that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s random sampling found a single positive result for Listeria monocytogenes on a Mann Packing Power Blend bagged salad product.

Consumers who may have any of the products listed in this recall alert are urged not to consume and should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with any questions may contact Michael Ruff, Director of Food Safety for Triple B, at 206.577.9852 Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm (PST).

Meijer Recalls Meijer Brand Packaged Produce

Issued October 21, 2017:  Meijer is announcing a recall of various packaged Meijer brand produce items due to a potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

The recall affects the following products sold in Meijer stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin purchased September 27, 2017 through October 20, 2017. The items will be in plastic containers or foam trays with printed labels with various sizes and weights.

Meijer received notice of a possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination from Mann Packing, a Meijer supplier based in Salinas, Calif. that sources the Meijer branded produce items. Mann Packing informed Meijer that evidence of potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination had been identified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. No illnesses have been reported to date.

Customers should stop using the product and either dispose of it or return it to the customer service desk at any Meijer store for a full refund. For additional information, please contact Meijer at 1.800.543.3704, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For additional information on Meijer, please visit www.meijer.com.

Randalls, Tom Thumb and Albertsons Stores in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas Voluntarily Recall Ready. Chef. Go! Seafood Meal Bags

Issued October 21, 2017:  In cooperation with the Mann Packing recall of minimally processed vegetable products due to possible Listeria monocytogenescontamination, Randalls, Tom Thumb and Albertsons stores in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas only are voluntarily recalling Ready. Chef. Go! seafood meal bags. The bags include vegetables that are subject to the Mann Packing recall.

This recall impacts only the Ready. Chef. Go! products listed below with Sell Thru Dates up to and including 10-22-17 (October 22, 2017). The products are packaged in clear cooking bags and are sold from refrigerated cases in the meat/seafood department or from mobile refrigerated merchandise cases. The UPC code and Sell Thru Date can be found on the store scale label.

No illnesses or injuries have been reported in connection with the Mann Packing. The Ready. Chef. Go! seafood meal bags have been recalled out of an abundance of caution.

Customers who purchased the recalled product should discard or return it for a full refund. Customers who have questions about the recall can contact Mann Packing on their 24-hour consumer line at 1.888.470.2681. Customers can also contact Albertsons Companies at 1.877.723.3929 anytime.

Paragon Foods Recalls 1.7 Ounce Bagged Broccoli Florets

Issued October 23, 2017:  Paragon Wholesale Foods Corp., of Warrendale, PA, is recalling several lots of 1.7 ounce Broccoli Florets in response to a nationwide recall by one of its suppliers, Mann Packing (Salinas, CA) because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The recalled broccoli florets were distributed to multiple schools in the Greater Pittsburgh and Butler, PA areas between 10/9/2017 and 10/16/2017. These customers have all been contacted directly and the affected products were removed on Thursday, October 19, 2017 when the firm was first notified of the recall by their supplier.

The product comes in a 1/2 cup (1.7 oz), clear plastic bag marked with the “Just Cut” logo on the front with a Best by date of 10/16/17 or 10/23/2017 stamped on the rear. This product was distributed in food service packages only and was not distributed to any retail locations.

Mann Packing, the original supplier of the broccoli florets, conducted a nationwide recall of various cut vegetables due to a report that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s random sampling found a single positive result for Listeria monocytogenes on a Mann Packing Power Blend bagged salad product.

No other products from Paragon Foods are involved at this time, and to date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this problem.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Edd Dwyer, Food Safety Manager at 724.741.9139. Phones will be monitored 7 days per week. Members of the media with questions regarding the recall can contact John McClelland, Chief Operating Officer, at 724.741.9156.

Pacific Coast Fruit Company Recalls Various Prepared Foods Vegetable Products Because of a Possible Health Risk

Issued October 23, 2017:  Pacific Coast Fruit Company in Portland, Oregon is voluntarily recalling multiple types of bagged processed salads based on the potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes.

Pacific Coast Fruit utilized a portion of the Mann Packing’s affected products in our retail and food service processed bagged salads. Please see attached list below for specific products entered into commerce, including UPC codes, Pacific Coast Fruit Item Numbers, and Best if Use By Dates or Production Dates.

Pacific Coast recalled products were distributed to selected grocery, restaurant and deli chains in Oregon and Washington.

The recalled retail salads are packed in a 10 oz, 16 oz, 20 oz, 25 oz plastic clamshell style and value-added food service items are packed in 5 lbs – 20 lbs food service salad bags.

There have been NO reported illnesses associated with this recall to date. This voluntary recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Consumers who have purchased this product should not consume it and are urged to return it to the place of purchase or destroy the product. Consumer with questions can contact Pacific Coast Fruit at 503-234-6411 between the hours of 8 am-4:30 pm PST Monday to Friday.

Pacific Coast Fruit Recalls Retail Salads

Pacific Coast Fruit Value-Added Foodservice Salads Kits

** UPDATED: October 26, 2017 to add new recall. **

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Poultry Products

Issued October 25, 2017: The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns that poultry products produced by Mary’s Harvest Fresh Foods, Inc., a Portland, Ore. establishment, may be contaminated withListeria monocytogenes. A recall was not requested because it is believed that all products are no longer in commerce and are past their “Best by” dates.

The ready-to-eat (RTE) kale and broccoli slaw salad with chicken items were produced from Oct. 6, 2017 through Oct. 10, 2017. The following product is subject to the public health alert:

• 8.75-oz. containers with “Kale & Broccoli Slaw Salad with Grilled Chicken Breast (Rib Meat)” with item #20346 and a “Use By” dates of: 10/12/17 through 10/16/17.

The products bear establishment number “P-39928” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations in Oregon and Washington.

The problem was discovered on Oct. 19, 2017 when the firm received notification from their broccoli supplier that the broccoli products used in the kale broccoli slaw with chicken salads were included in a U.S. Food & Drug Administration recall due to potential contamination with L. monocytogenes. The firm notified FSIS on Oct. 20, 2017. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.

Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections can occur in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Ed. Note: The total pounds of vegetables/foods affected by the original and subsequent recalls is not known. Likely thousands of pounds of food will be destroyed because of these recalls.  This is a waste of food, caused by processing-related contamination. In this world where so many go hungry, there has to be a better way! Do you avoid recalls by purchasing food from companies, or local farms, which you feel you can trust?