San Antonio-Based Wildly LLC, Trader Joe's, Recall Granola Over Listeria Fears

AUSTIN, TX — San Antonio-based granola maker Wildly LLC recalled its products along with those sold under the Trader Joe's brand over potential Listeria contamination, according to regulators.

The move comes after both companies were notified by a supplier that an ingredient used in the granola making "has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes," according to the recall notice. Wildly LLC posted its granola recall notice with Food and Drug Administration regulators on June 14, a notice encompassing its own brand along with Trader Joe's, Food Safety News reported.

Following the move by Wildly LLC, Trader Joe’s posted its own, separate recall notice on its website.

"The potential for contamination was noted after an ingredient supplier revealed the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes," reads the recall notice found on the FDA website. "The company subsequently identified the source of the issue and has corrected the matter.”

Regulators urge consumers to discontinue use of the affected product. The items can be returned to the retail establishment at which they were purchased for a full refund, regulators said.

According to Food Safety News, no illnesses had been reported in connection with the granola recall. But it could take 70 days after exposure to tainted products for symptoms of Listeria infection to develop, the newsletter noted.

Regulators are concerned some of the product outlined in the recall notice still remains unused in consumers' homes. The recalled granola has "best-by" dates ranging from Oct. 31 of this year through April 10, 2018. Consumers can identify the recalled granola by looking for the following label information and codes:

• Trader Joe’s Grainless Granola, 8-ounce, SKU number 56307, lot codes 087, 088, 096 and 100, and best-by dates of 032818, 032918, 040618 and 041018;
• Wildway Apple Cinnamon Grain-free Granola, 8-ounce, UPC number 85866005190, lot code 096 097 and best-by dates of 040618 or 040718;
• Wildway Apple Cinnamon Grain-free Granola, 10-ounce, UPC number 864352000015, lot code 097 and best-by date of 040718;
• Wildway Banana Nut Grain-free Granola, 8-ounce, UPC number 858660005176, lot codes 089, 096 and 100, and best-by dates of 033018, 040618 and 041018;
• Wildway Coconut Cashew Grain-free Granola, 8-ounce UPC number 858660005183, lot codes 090, 096 and 101, and best-by dates of 103117, 110617 and 111117;
• Wildway Coconut Cashew Grain-free Granola, 10-ounce, no UPC number provided, lot codes 090, 096 and 102, and best-by dates of 103117, 110617 and 111117; and
• Wildway Vanilla Bean Espresso Grain-free Granola, 8-ounce, UPC number 858660005206, lot codes 089 and 090.

The recalled Wildway-branded granola was distributed nationwide, according to the recall notice. For its part, the recalled Trader Joe’s-branded granola was sent to Washington, D.C., and 22 states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Vermont.

Consumers who may have eaten the recalled granola who have since developed listeriosis symptoms are highly urged to seek medical attention and alert their physicians about the possibility of exposure. Food Safety News recommends anyone who has eaten the granola to monitor themselves for symptoms over the next several weeks, as it takes up to nine weeks following ingestion for symptoms to develop.

Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. But young children, those who are frail and elderly and others with compromised immune systems can potentially develop serious and sometimes fatal infections. Pregnant women also are vulnerable, as Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.

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