Deadly Listeria Recall Expands Again In New Jersey

The recall of frozen vegetables and other products because of the potentially deadly contamination of Listeria monocytogenes continues to expand, according to federal officials.

Trader Joe's confirmed that the national recall list now includes all lot/date codes of 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 a release 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.

Also, a food recall has been issued by a Maryland grocery store chain concerned about Listeria.

Harris Teeter grocery stores on Friday said a supplier indicated Creative Snack Brain Food – with UPC 85598300207 -- may be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes, an organism which could result in severe illness, or death, to people who consume this product.

The products were sold in several states, including New Jersey.

Listeriosis, an infection caused by Listeria, can pose major risks for certain populations, especially pregnant women, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Harris Teeter has removed the recalled product from its produce department and says customers who purchased the product should not consume the snack. Instead, return it to your Harris Teeter for a full refund.

Customers with questions should call Creative Snacks Company at 336-668-4151.

At least eight Listeria recalls impacting New Jersey 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.

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 Listeria have 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.

Recalls issued included:

• 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....
• Giant is recalling some store brand granola barsbecause of Listeria concerns, the retailer announced Thursday. Giant's Sweet & Salty Almond Chewy Granola Bars have been recalled due to potential Listeria contamination. 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.