Avocado Recall In NC, 5 More States, Due To Listeria Concern

NORTH CAROLINA — A California avocado grower is recalling the pear-shaped fruit in North Carolina and five other states because of possible listeria contamination. Henry Avocado Corp.’s recall affects both conventional and organic avocados.

The company said in a statement it is “issuing this voluntary recall out of an abundance of caution due to positive test results on environmental samples taken during a routine government inspection at its California packing facility.”

No one has been sickened, the company said. The avocados were also distributed in California, Florida, New Hampshire, Arizona and Wisconsin.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. 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.

Avocados imported from Mexico and distributed by Henry Avocado are not subject to the recall and may continue to be sold and consumed.

Conventionally grown avocados subject to the recall bear a sticker reading “Bravocado.” Affected organic avocados are labeled “organic” and have “California” on the stickers.

Consumers who have purchased any recalled avocados are encouraged not to eat them, but to discard them or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with further questions may contact Henry Avocado at (760) 745-6632, Ext. 132, or visit www.henryavocado.com/media

“We are voluntarily recalling our products and taking every action possible to ensure the safety of consumers who eat our avocados,” Phil Henry, president of Henry Avocado, said in a statement.

Find more information here.