As a precaution, CRF Frozen Foods of Pasco, Washington is expanding its voluntary recall of frozen organic and traditional fruits and vegetables because the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
The recall now includes approximately 358 consumer products sold under 42 separate brands sold across the country and in Canada.
"The organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems," the recall notice stated. "Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women."
This expanded recall of frozen vegetables includes all of the frozen organic and traditional fruit and vegetable products manufactured or processed in CRF Frozen Foods’ Pasco facility since May 1, 2014.
All affected products have the best by dates or sell by dates between April 26, 2016 and April 26, 2018.
Products include organic and non-organic broccoli, butternut squash, carrots, cauliflower, corn, edamame, green beans, Italian beans, kale, leeks, lima beans, onions, peas, pepper strips, potatoes, potato medley, root medley, spinach, sweet potatoes, various vegetable medleys, blends, and stir fry packages, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, peaches, raspberries, and strawberries.
The brands include, but are not limited to:
- Columbia River Organics
- Northwest Growers Select
- Organic By Nature
- Chef Maxwell
- Earth's Pride Organics
- Live Smart
- O Organic
- Pantry Essentials
- Safeway Kitchens
- Trader Joe’s
- USDA
- Wellsley Farms
For a complete list of affected products, click here: crffrozenfoods.com
Officials said the Listeria was discovered through routine testing by state health officials in Ohio.
CRF suspended operations at its Pasco, Washington facility as of Monday, April 25, following the initial voluntary recall, so a thorough review could be conducted.
The government has identified seven people from three states who became ill and were hospitalized due to Listeria. Some of these illnesses have been linked to consuming CRF-manufactured or processed products.
"CDC also informed us that, sadly, two of these individuals later died, but that Listeria was not the cause of death in either person," CRF Frozen Foods officials said.