A recall issued by California-based Wawona Packing Co in the US on its Sweet2Eat stonefruit over fears of contamination with listeria monocytogenes has been extended to Canada.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Wawona are recalling the fruits as of July 21, 2014. The list of recalled products affected includes peaches (white and yellow), nectarines (white and yellow), organic and conventional plums and pluots.
After internal tests at Wawoma revealed the potential contamination the company’s packhouse was shut down and sanitised. Wawona president Brent Smittcamp said no illnesses related to the consumption of these products and that the recall was a precautionary step.
Listeria can cause illness and death and is particularly dangerous in infants and children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. Signs of infection include sickness, fever, muscle pain, headache, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Consumers who purchased any of the affected products are being advised to discard them and wash their hands with soap and warm water after handling the fruit, as well as disinfecting anything that came into contact with the fruits with a mild bleach solution. Listeria monocytogenes bacteria can grow at refrigerator temperatures.
The company supplies fruit to a number of large retail outlets including Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s and Trader Joe’s.
