A recall of products, including onions, from Gracie’s Kitchen has been given a Class II risk classification from the FDA over fears of listeria monocytogenes contamination.
The recall impacts almost 150 ready-to-eat fruit and vegetable products from the Connecticut based company, also including peppers and watermelons.
Newsweek has reached out to Gracie’s Kitchen via email outside of normal working hours for comment.
Why It Matters
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that listeria, which poses risks in pregnancy, is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illnesses in the U.S, and is responsible for approximately 1,600 cases of food poisoning each year and around 260 fatalities.
What To Know
Listeria is a genus of bacteria, and listeria monocytogenes is a strain responsible for listeriosis or listeria infection, a serious infection that primarily impacts young children, frail and elderly people, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborn and unborn babies.
Listeriosis generally causes food poisoning symptoms including fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headaches, diarrhea and vomiting, that should pass within a few days.
Pregnant women who are exposed to listeria are at risk of pregnancy loss, stillbirth, premature delivery or the life-threatening infection of their newborn.
The voluntary recall was initiated on the 27th of November, and the FDA issued it’s classification on the 30th of December.
It was initiated when samples taken from the manufacturing facilities environment tested positive for listeria.
The food and vegetable products had been sold at grocery stores in New York and Connecticut under three different brand names: Gracie’s Kitchens, King Cullen and Wild By Nature.
No illnesses have ben reported in connection with the products.
The products have been give a Class II classification by the FDA.
A Class II recall is issued when a product may cause health effects which are temporary or medically reversible, or when there is a remote probability of a serious health consequence.
Though these recalls are less urgent than Class I recalls, they are still significant and are taken seriously in order to prevent potential harm.
Civic Science recently revealed in a report that over 80 percent of Americans are worried about food recalls. Nearly a third of respondents said that they were very worried. The data was based on more than 2,000 U.S. adults, collected between December 2 and 4, and weighted to be nationally representative.
There were more than two dozen food recalls issued in December.
What People Are Saying
The FDA: “This recall is being initiated after sampling indicated that Listeria monocytogenes was found in the environment. The firm is working with the FDA.”
What’s Next
The recall is currently ongoing. Consumers with questions can contact Gracie’s Kitchens at 203-773-0795, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. till 3 p.m. EST, or email [email protected].
The products are all past their sell by date, but the FDA advised that consumers check their freezers for the product.
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