River Ranch Fresh Foods, LLC of Salinas, California, just initiated a recall 2,154 cases of its range of bagged salad products over concerns that the produce is contaminated with the dangerous and sometimes deadly <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/listeria">Listeria monocytogenes pathogen, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just announced. The recall decision followed a routine random test conducted by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The bagged salad products subject to the recall include the following; all bear Julian Best By Dates of 14OCT2011 (October 14, 2011):
Farmers Market Brand:
• 8-oz. Shredded Iceberg: UPC 30034-30195; Best By Code Dates A106A, A106B.
• 7-oz. Parisian Blend: UPC 30034-30259; Best By Code Dates A106A, A106B.
• 9- oz. Leafy Romaine: UPC 30034-30364; Best By Code Dates A106A, A106B.
• 12-oz. Romaine Garden: UPC 30034-30220; Best By Code Dates A106A, A106B.
Hy-Vee Brand
• 8-oz. Shredded Iceberg: UPC 75450-12053; Best By Code Dates A106A, A106B.
• 12-oz. American Blend: UPC 75450-12047; Best By Code Dates A106A, A106B,
• 12-oz. Garden Supreme: UPC 75450-12046; Best By Code Dates A106A, A106B.
• 12-oz. Romaine Garden: UPC 75450-12058; Best By Code Dates A106A, A106B.
These products were produced on September 27, 2011 and were distributed in Iowa, Ohio, and Pennsylvania and sold in retail super markets. No other products or code dates are affected by this recall. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume the recalled lettuce and to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. River Ranch Fresh Foods, LLC’s 24-hour customer service center can be reached, toll-free, at 1.800.762.7708. Although there have been no reported illnesses attributed to the recalled items, it is important to bear in mind that the effects of Listeria monocytogenes poisoning can take up to two months to manifest with symptoms.
We also just wrote that Giant Eagle was advised by FDA that it discovered the Listeria monocytogenes pathogen in a routine random sample test of Giant Eagle Farmer’s Market eight-ounce packages of Shredded Iceberg Lettuce. That lettuce was produced River Ranch Fresh Foods LLC, has a use by date of October 14, 2011, and involves Giant Eagle Farmer’s Market Shredded Iceberg Lettuce, UPC 3003430195. In that case, the potentially contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce was also used in certain Giant Eagle Sandwich Rings.
As we’ve mentioned, the Listeria monocytogenes pathogen can lead to the listeriosis infection, which is a potentially fatal infection that can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, abdominal cramps and pain, diarrhea, and nausea, especially in those with weakened immune systems, infants, and the elderly. Vulnerable populations, such as the developing fetus, can suffer serious central nervous system problems. The infection can prompt premature births, or the death of the fetus via miscarriages and stillbirths. Pregnant women are 20 times likelier to become infected. Listeriosis can also lead to hearing loss or brain damage in newborns, and can prompt neurological effects and cardio respiratory failure in adults.
