California Fruits Recalled in USA and Canada for Possible Listeria Contamination

The fruits peaches, plouts, nectarines, and plums which come from California were being recalled in the United States and Canada for possible contamination of bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes.

The recall was voluntarily initiated by Central California company Wawona Packing Co. after the internal testing of the company at its packing house in Tulare County came out positive for listeria.

According to the company's press release, the recalled fruits were packed and distributed to retailers from June 1 to July 12. Wawona has already notified the retailers about the specific lots to be recalled from their stores.

Wawona Packing Co. also stated that it has already shut down the packaging lines involved, disinfected the facility, retrofitted the equipment, and retested the subsequent batches of fresh fruits. The company stated that succeeding daily test results were negative and that no illness was reported. Wawona clarified that it is taking the precautionary measures.

"We are aware of no illness related to the consumption of these products," said Wawona Packing Co. President Brent Smittcamp in the press release. "By taking the precautionary step of recalling product, we will minimise even the slightest risk to public health, and that is our priority."

In USA, CNN mentioned that the affected retailers are Costco, Trader Joe's, and Walmart Corporation which operates Sam's Club and Walmart. Costco already pulled out the fruits at the shelves from it's over 450 stores across the country.

The Web site cited that Trader Joe's has advised customers to refrain from eating the fruits with large pits (stones fruits) and to return these fruits to the nearest store to get a full refund.

Meanwhile, KSAT has posted the recall from Sam's Club to its members who have recently purchased the fruits under recall. The message advised the members to return the products for full refund and to notify the customers of the recall if the club members have resold any of the recalled fruits.

In Canada, CTVNews stated that the recalled fruits are primarily sold by the Sweet 2 Eat brand but it may also show the brand names Wawona or Harvest Sweet. Forty-five packaging variations for the above-mentioned fruits were involved in the recall.

Listeria contamination in food is a serious bacterial infection which may cause fever, muscle aches, diarrhea, or gastrointestinal symptoms. Elderly people, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune system are at risk to listeria.

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