FDA Alert: Deadly Bacteria Found in Recalled Fruit in 12 States.

Attention, kiwifruit lovers! A recall has ‌been issued for green organic kiwifruit in 14 states due to a potentially deadly listeria contamination. This alarming‍ news comes⁣ from the U.S. Food and ​Drug⁣ Administration (FDA) website.

David Oppenheimer and ‍Company has taken the responsible step of voluntarily​ recalling some of its clamshell packages of kiwi after testing revealed‌ the presence of Listeria⁤ monocytogenes in ⁢certain products. Listeria ⁣can cause a severe and ‌sometimes ‌fatal infection known as listeriosis.

The contamination has been traced back to two grower lots in New Zealand. The affected kiwi, which was​ repackaged locally and sold in 1-pound clear plastic clamshells, bears‍ the‍ Zespri‌ brand and UPC code 8 18849 02009 3. Look for a sticker featuring a GTIN bar code of 9400 9552.

These recalled products were shipped between ‌June⁤ 14, 2023, and July 7,⁣ 2023, and were sold⁢ in the following states: Florida, Georgia, ⁣Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, ⁢Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Fortunately, ‌no illnesses have been reported so far in connection to⁣ these products. It’s important to note ​that ‌no other products from ‍David Oppenheimer and Company are subject ⁢to this recall.

What ⁣Is Listeria?

Let’s take a closer‌ look at listeria. This‌ bacteria can cause severe or fatal​ illness, especially in children, the elderly, or individuals with compromised immune systems. Even‍ healthy people can experience short-term ‍problems such as a⁣ high fever, nausea, stiffness, diarrhea, abdominal ‍pain, and headaches. Pregnant women are particularly at risk, as listeria can lead to stillbirths and miscarriages.

If ⁣you’ve been infected with listeria, symptoms⁤ may appear within‌ a few hours to three days after consuming contaminated food. In some cases, more severe‍ forms of the illness can take​ up⁣ to three months to develop.

The FDA⁣ explains that L.⁣ monocytogenes is typically transmitted⁤ through⁤ contaminated ‍environments during the‌ harvesting, processing, preparation, packing, transportation, or storage of food. ⁢Raw materials, water, soil, incoming air, and even pets can contribute to the spread of‌ this ‌bacteria. For‌ more information, visit the FDA’s website.

Despite the seriousness of⁤ listeria, it⁤ is ⁣considered rare. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately ⁤1,600 Americans develop listeriosis each year, resulting in around 260 deaths.

The Mayo Clinic advises that listeria bacteria‍ can survive refrigeration and freezing. Therefore, individuals at higher risk of serious infections⁢ should avoid consuming foods that are most likely to contain listeria bacteria. For more information on symptoms and causes ‍of listeria infection, visit the Mayo Clinic’s website.