FDA Alerts the Public Regarding Recalled Vegetable Products

October 19, 2018

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is investigating possible Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes contamination of several vegetable products from McCain Foods USA, Inc., that has led to the recall of a number of products including salads and wraps that used the vegetables from McCain Foods as ingredients. On October 14th, McCain Foods initiated a recall of their products out of an abundance of caution. Most of the recalled vegetables are used as ingredients in foods produced by downstream manufacturers and sold under different labels. The FDA is advising consumers not to eat any recalled food products listed on the FDA or FSIS website.

Advice for Consumers

No illnesses to date have been identified in connection with any of these foods, but consumers should not eat any of the products that have been recalled, as they could be contaminated with Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes. Many of the recalled products require cooking, which if properly done, would reduce the risk of illness from Salmonella or Listeria contamination. However, some of the products are “ready-to-eat” and would not be cooked. In addition, many of the recalled products are expired. If you still have one or more of the recalled products in your home, throw them away or return them to the store you purchased them from. A list of recalled products can be found on the FDA recalls page. Products were sold nationwide. Additional information will be posted as the list of recalls may expand and more information becomes available.

Advice for Manufacturers

If your company received any of the recalled product, reach out to your FDA Recall Coordinator (or USDA for USDA-regulated finished products) to determine how to properly assess and handle any food products made with the recalled vegetables.

When you reach out, please have information available such as: any product testing of incoming vegetables, manufacturing process in your facility, validation of cooking instructions, cooking instructions on food packaging, lot codes of products manufactured using the recalled vegetables, and any additional information to assist in assessing the firm’s control of Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes.

Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes

Salmonella is a microorganism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Listeriosis is a rare but serious illness usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes. Anyone who experiences fever and muscle aches, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms, or develops fever and chills after eating any of the recalled products listed below, should seek medical care.

Symptoms can appear from a few days up to a few weeks after consumption of the contaminated food. Listeriosis can be fatal, especially in certain high-risk groups. These groups include the elderly and people with weakened immune systems and certain chronic medical conditions (such as cancer). In pregnant women, listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature labor, and serious illness or death in newborn babies.

People who think they might have symptoms of listeriosis or a Salmonella infection should consult their health care provider. The FDA encourages consumers with questions about food safety to Submit An Inquiry, or to visit www.fda.gov/fcic for additional information.

Recalled Products

Additional products containing the recalled products may be added to this alert as more information becomes available.