Listeria Recall Expands: More Trader Joe's Items Included

Tampa Bay area residents may want to check their freezers yet again as a national frozen vegetable recall expands its reach once more.

Trader Joe's announced Monday that it is recalling all Trader Joe’s Vegetable Fried Rice (SKU/Barcode 00521482) and Trader Joe’s Chicken Fried Rice (SKU/Barcode 00332514).

All Vegetable Fried Rice (SKU/Barcode 00521482) and Chicken Fried Rice (SKU/Barcode 00332514) products have been removed from store shelves and destroyed, according to information from the company.

"If you purchased these products, please do not eat them. We urge you to discard the product or return it to any Trader Joe's for a full refund," according to the company.

Additionally, Giant supermarkets have issued a recall of Nature’s Promise Trail Mix and Walnuts over listeria concerns. The following products are included Giant's recall: Nature’s Promise Cranberry Trail Mix, 12 oz., UPC 68826706612 with a best by date of9/17/2016 and a lot number of 16082, 16099 or 16117 and Nature’s Promise Walnut Halves & Pieces, 7oz., UPC 68826714404 with best by dates of4/2/2017 and 4/19/2017 and a lot number of 16093 or 16110.

At least nine Listeria recalls impacting Pennsylvania have been issued over the past two weeks.

Certain brands of frozen vegetables, granola bars and sunflower seeds have been recalled from stores nationwide because of a serious and sometimes fatal contamination risk, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Listeriosis, an infection caused by Listeria, can pose major risks for certain populations, especially pregnant women, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Eight people infected with the outbreak strains of Listeriahave been reported from three states since Sept. 13, 2013. 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, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"This is a complex, ongoing investigation. Updates will be provided when more information is available," according to the CDC website.

Additional recalls issued include:

• ConAgra Foods said Friday it's voluntarily recalling Watts Brothers Farms Organic Mixed Vegetables, Organic Super Sweet Corn (Yellow/Gold) and Organic Peas, and Trader Joe’s Organic Super Sweet Corn because of the potential for these products to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
• CRF Frozen Foods of Pasco, Washington recalled 15 frozen vegetable items that have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Listeria monocytogenes was found to be present in one lot of Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) organic petite green peas and one lot of IQF organic white sweet cut corn. State health officials in Ohio discovered the listeria through routine testing. Read more here.
• Later in the week, CRF expanded its recall of 15 frozen vegetable items to include all “frozen organic and traditional fruits and vegetables” labeled under 42 different brand names, including Walmart's Great Value brand. Read more here.
• The USDA announced a recall of Broccoli Slaw & Kale Salad with White Chicken Meat that was sold at Trader Joe’s locations in four states because the product might have been contaminated with Listeria.Read more here.
• Giant Eagle said it is recalling some of its products containing sunflowers sold at its stores in Michigan and 27 other states because of possible Listeria contamination. Read more here.

The 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. Recalled items were sold nationwide and in Canada.

A complete table of recalled products is on the FDA website.

By KARA SEYMOUR (Patch Staff)