A recall of frozen fruit and vegetables from CRF Frozen Foods of Pasco, Wash., due to Listeria fears has been expanded to more than 350 different products under 42 different brand names including Wild Oats, True Goodness, Great Value, Signature and Trader Joe's. The recall spans back to May 1, 2014, and all of the affected products have best by or sell by dates ranging from April 26, 2016 to April 26, 2018.
"Eight people infected with the outbreak strains of Listeria have been reported from three states since September 13, 2013," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said. "All eight people were hospitalized, including one from Maryland and one from Washington who died, although listeriosis was not considered to be a cause of death for either person."
"Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence available at this time indicates that frozen vegetables produced by CRF Frozen Foods of Pasco, Washington and sold under various brand names are one likely source of illness in this outbreak," they added.
The recalled products span both organic and non-organic fruits and vegetables including broccoli, carrots, corn, kale, green beans, butternut squash, edamame, peas, peaches, cherries, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries and strawberries, among others. A complete list of the recalled products can be viewed here.
"CDC recommends that consumers do not eat, and restaurants and retailers do not serve or sell, recalled organic and traditional frozen vegetables and fruit products," the agency said. "Approximately 358 consumer products sold under 42 separate brands were recalled. Products were sold nationwide and in Canada."
Anyone who has purchased the recalled products can return them to the store that they purchased them from and receive a refund.
For questions or concerns, CRF Frozen Foods' consumer hotline can be called at 844-483-3866, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Listeria outbreaks are common, and the CDC estimates that the infection leads to the hospitalization of 1,600 people each year, killing approximately 260 of them.
Infection typically stems from contaminated food that contains the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. It primarily affects older adults, pregnant women, newborn babies and adults with compromised immune systems. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches and sometimes nausea or diarrhea.
