Fine Mexican Food Products, Inc. (FMP) of the City of Ontario, California is recalling 1,423 cases of some of its Frozen Avocado Pulp and 1,820 Cases IQF of some of its Avocado Halves, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just announced. The recall has been initiated over concerns that the avocado products were potentially […]
Fine Mexican Food Products, Inc. (FMP) of the City of Ontario, California is recalling 1,423 cases of some of its Frozen Avocado Pulp and 1,820 Cases IQF of some of its Avocado Halves, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just announced.
The recall has been initiated over concerns that the avocado products were potentially contaminated with the dangerous, sometimes deadly Listeria Monocytogenes pathogen.
Frozen Avocado Pulp and IQF Avocado Halves
Both products are identified as FMP on a white label on the corrugated shipping carton and have expiration dates of June, July, or August 2012. The products have been since, since June 2010, to distributors in California:
• Frozen Avocado Pulp: Pack size: 2.2-pounds per bag; 12 bags per shipping carton; Product Code 00115.
• IQF Avocado Halves: Pack size: 3-pounds per bag; 8 bags per shipping carton; Product Code 00131.
Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, which is potentially fatal. Listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, abdominal cramps and pain, diarrhea, and nausea, and can also cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly, and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy.
For susceptible people, listeriosis can cause significant illnesses linked to the central nervous system, including in the developing fetus. Listeriosis infects about 2,500 people in the U.S., killing 500 annually.
To date, no reports of illness have been linked to these products; however, it can take some time for symptoms of Listeria poisoning to manifest.
The FDA noted that this recall was the result of multiple positive Listeria Monocytogenes findings in 20-pound size avocado pulp manufactured at the same facility in Peru. FMP has ceased the production, importing, and distribution of the product while it and the FDA continues their investigation into the potential contamination.
FMP advised consumers in possession of these recalled products to return the product to a distributor as soon as possible. Fine Mexican Food Products’ Recalls Procedures can be reached at 1.909.947.4296.
Meanwhile, Listeria poisoning is of particular concern to pregnant women, who are 20 times likelier to be infected with listeriosis, which can kill fetuses, causing miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women. Listeriosis can also prompt premature births, can lead to hearing loss or brain damage in newborns, and can prompt neurological effects and cardio respiratory failure in adults.
