It’s time to conduct a thorough check of your freezer! Major food retailers, including Walmart, Whole Foods, Target, Aldi, and Trader Joe’s, are removing over a dozen frozen fruit products from their shelves nationwide due to concerns of a potential listeria outbreak. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the recall on its website, linking it to pineapple supplied to Sunrise Growers Inc. by a third-party supplier. Listeria is a persistent germ that can be difficult to eliminate from surfaces and equipment. Symptoms of listeria poisoning include fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea. This bacterium is especially dangerous for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Although most people only experience minor symptoms, pregnant women can suffer from stillbirth or miscarriage when infected by listeria.
Over two dozen frozen fruit products have been recalled due to potential exposure to listeria-infected pineapple. These products are sold at major retailers like Walmart, Whole Foods, Target, Aldi, and Trader Joe’s. It is worth noting that there have been no reports of illnesses related to this potential outbreak. Sunrise Growers has taken immediate action by terminating all future business with the third-party supplier. Consumers are strongly advised to check their freezers for the recalled products and not consume them. Instead, they should either discard the products or return them to the store for a full refund. For more information, consumers can contact Sunrise Growers via email at [email protected] or call 1.888.490.5591 from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
It is important to note that other Sunrise Growers products with different lot codes or best-by dates are not affected by this recall. The retail customers affected by the recall have been notified and instructed to remove the recalled products from their shelves and inventories.
According to the FDA, specific Walmart products, including Great Value Mixed Fruit, Great Value Dark Sweet Cherries, and Great Value Mango Chunks, were sold in various states between January 19, 2023, and June 13, 2023, and have been recalled. At Whole Foods, products such as 365 Organic Tropical Fruit Medley, 365 Organic Pineapple Chunks, 365 Pineapple Chunks, 365 Organic Whole Strawberries, 365 Organic Slice Strawberries and Bananas, and 365 Organic Blackberries, distributed between November 1, 2022, and June 21, 2023, have been recalled. Trader Joe’s Organic Tropical Fruit Blend, distributed to select distribution centers or stores in multiple states from March 28, 2023, to April 11, 2023, has also been recalled. Target’s Good & Gather Organic Cherries and Berries Fruit Blend, Good & Gather Dark Sweet Whole Pitted Cherries, Good & Gather Mango Strawberry Blend, Good & Gather Mixed Fruit Blend, Good & Gather Mango Chunks, Good & Gather Blueberries, and Good & Gather Triple Berry Blend, distributed nationwide between October 14, 2022, and May 22, 2023, have all been recalled. Aldi’s Season’s Choice Tropical Blend, distributed to select distribution centers or stores in multiple states between October 11, 2022, and May 22, 2023, has also been recalled. Associated Wholesale Grocers’ Best Choice Pitted Red Tart Cherries Unsweetened, distributed to select distribution centers or stores in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma between April 5, 2023, and May 4, 2023, has been recalled.
SunOpta, a U.S.-based supplier of sustainable, plant-based, and fruit-based food and beverages, is taking necessary precautions in this situation. With nearly 50 years of experience, SunOpta produces natural, organic, and specialty products sold through various retail and foodservice channels.
Now let’s discuss what exactly is Listeria and how to avoid it. Listeria is a bacterium that can be found everywhere in the environment. It infects humans and other warm-blooded animals through contaminated food. It can be present in dirty water, irrigation water, soil, fertilizers, as well as certain foods like soft cheeses, cold chicken, deli meats, raw and cold seafood, ice cream, fresh fruit, and bagged vegetables. Additionally, contact with animals, pests, contaminated fruit, and improper hand hygiene can lead to infection.
Susceptible individuals include pregnant women, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. Listeria infection typically presents flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, and occasionally diarrhea. The incubation period, which is the time from consuming the bacterium to showing signs of illness, can range from 8 to 90 days. Severe cases may require hospitalization due to dehydration.
To prevent listeria contamination, it is essential to avoid purchasing bruised or damaged fruit, and always wash fruit before consuming it. Refrigeration should occur within two hours of slicing. It is crucial to avoid consuming foods past their “best before” or “use by” dates, and to cook foods thoroughly. When reheating food, ensure it reaches a steaming hot temperature. Leftovers should be promptly refrigerated and used within 24 hours or frozen. Be cautious not to store ready-to-eat food in the fridge for too long, as Listeria is one of the few pathogens that can grow in such conditions.
Source: Food Authority NSW, Food Safety Information Council
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