Once again, the foodborne illness Listeria is responsible for a recall of several vegetables and packaged salad products in multiple states. What began as a recall of just cucumbers on July 12 quickly evolved into a much larger problem affecting products sold in 18 different states across the country. Products affected by the contamination include pre-packaged bags under the Wiers Farm or Freshire Farms label, as well as loose products sold individually or by the pound. A full list can be found here.
On July 22, Wiers Farm Inc. officially identified peppers, green beans, squash and other herbs, and cucumbers as part of the recall. The vegetables were distributed to several retailers nationwide, including Walmart and Aldi. States affected by the recall include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
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Listeria monocytogenes can be especially dangerous for young children and the elderly, as both are at high risk of becoming seriously ill if they contract the disease. Immunocompromised individuals and pregnant people are also vulnerable to infection. Common symptoms include fever, muscle aches and fatigue, as well as headache, confusion and loss of balance. They can occur within two weeks to 70 days after eating the contaminated food. More details on possible symptoms from the CDC can be found here.
To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the outbreak. Purchasers of affected products are asked to contact Wiers Farm immediately at (419) 933-2161 or by email at [email protected].
Listeria is not something to be taken lightly. We saw the disease’s destructive power during the current multi-state listeria outbreak linked to deli meats. Several people died and others became seriously ill. Take care of yourself and stay cautious.
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