Country Fresh Orlando, LLC. of Orlando, Florida, is recalling 5,999 cases of diced bell pepper, vegetable kabobs, and creole and fajita mixed diced vegetables (product descriptions attached), because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which 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.
The product in question was shipped to retailers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi, under the Country Fresh and store brand labels described in the product listing.
The product bears “BEST IF USED BY” dates between August 12, 2017 (8/12/17) through August 20, 2017 (8/20/17). The product is in either a clear plastic container as labeled below or in Styrofoam trays overwrapped with clear plastic film as labeled below. No products except those on this list are subject to this recall.
To date, no illnesses have been confirmed by public health authorities.
“We are treating this incident very seriously because we want to ensure that our customers are provided with only the safest, most wholesome, and high-quality products available,” said Max Payen, Country Fresh’s Director of Food Safety. The potential for contamination was uncovered as the result of a single routine sample taken at a retail store in Georgia which revealed that the finished product tested contained the bacteria. The company has ceased distribution of the affected product as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Country Fresh continue their investigation as to what caused the problem. This recall is being undertaken with the knowledge of the FDA.
Consumers who have purchased any of these products are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 281-453-3305, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. CDT.
The list of products subject to this recall are as follows:
| Description | Store | Description of Packaging | Use by Date Range | States Distributed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fajita Blend 12oz | Southeastern Grocers | Overwrap | 8/12/2017 | 8/18/2017 | FL |
| Stir Fry Vegetable | Southeastern Grocers | Overwrap | 8/12/2017 | 8/18/2017 | FL |
| Vegetable Kabob 23oz | Southeastern Grocers | Overwrap | 8/12/2017 | 8/18/2017 | FL |
| Green Pepper Diced 6oz | Southeastern Grocers | Clamshell | 8/13/2017 | 8/20/2017 | FL, GA |
| Creole Mix 6oz | Southeastern Grocers | Clamshell | 8/13/2017 | 8/19/2017 | AL, FL, GA, LA, MS |
| Tri-Pepper Dice 6oz | Southeastern Grocers | Clamshell | 8/12/2017 | 8/19/2017 | AL, FL, GA, LA, MS |
| Fajita Mix 6oz | Southeastern Grocers | Clamshell | 8/13/2017 | 8/19/2017 | AL, FL, GA, LA, MS |
| Kabob Sensations Veggie Kabob 15oz | Publix Supermarkets, Inc. | Overwrap | 8/12/2017 | 8/18/2017 | AL, FL, GA |
| Dice Tri-Pepper 7oz | Wal-Mart Stores Inc. | Clamshell | 8/13/2017 | 8/20/2017 | AL, FL, GA |
| Marketside Veggie Kabobs 23oz | Wal-Mart Stores Inc. | Overwrap | 8/13/2017 | 8/20/2017 | AL, FL, GA |