Wholesale Produce Supply, a food supplier based in Minneapolis, has recalled more than two dozen varieties of its fresh cut and processed cantaloupe products due to a risk of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced.
According to a notice posted by the FDA on Monday, September 29, no illnesses have been reported to date, but Listeria has the potential to cause serious infections. Here’s what to know:
Which products are affected by the recall?
Wholesale Produce Supply fresh cut cantaloupe was sold to distributors in Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, who may have distributed the product to other states.
The impacted products were sold under two brands: Harvest Cuts and Fresh and Finest. They were distributed to “traditional grocery locations.” The recall notice does not name specific retailers.
Fast Company reached out to Wholesale Produce Supply for additional details and will update this story if we hear back.
Affected products were packed in traditional plastic clamshell containers. Some packages included only cantaloupe, while others featured cantaloupe mixed with other fresh-cut fruits.
The potential Listeria contamination was discovered during routine testing performed by the company, according to the FDA. Wholesale Produce Supply has suspended production and distribution of the affected lot and is investigating the cause of the problem.
The company has recalled the following retail products. You can find the full product descriptions, UPC codes, and lot numbers on the FDA website.
- Cantaloupe and Honeydew (12-ounce)
- Cantaloupe Chunks (8-ounce)
- Cantaloupe Chunks (16-ounce)
- Cantaloupe Chunks (6-ounce)
- Cantaloupe Chunks “F&F” (12-ounce)
- Cantaloupe Chunks (5-pound)
- Cantaloupe Spears (16-ounce)
- Fruit Medley (8-ounce)
- Fruit Medley “F&F” (12-ounce)
- Fruit Mix (16-ounce)
- Fruit Mix (6-ounce)
- Fruit Mix CHWG (MCT) (5-pound)
- Fruit Salad (16-ounce)
- Fruit Salad (6-ounce)
- Fruit Tray CHPG w/ Dip “HC” RND (2-pound)
- Fruit Tray w/ Strawberries “HC” (2-pound)
- Fruit Tray w/ Watermelons “HC” (2.5-pound)
- Fruit Tray w/ Watermelons “HC” (2.5-pound)
- Luau Blend Fruit Mix “F&F” (10-ounce)
- Melon Mix (16-ounce)
- Melon Mix (6-ounce)
- Melon Mix Bowl (48-ounce)
- Melon Mix Bowl & Grapes (48-ounce)
- Melon Mix CHW (MCT) (5-pound)
- Melon Mix Spears (16-ounce)
Consumers should not eat the recalled product
Customers who have purchased affected Harvest Cuts or Fresh and Finest products should not consume them. Rather, return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.
If you have any questions, contact Wholesale Produce Supply by calling (612) 378-2025.
Some people are more at risk of Listeria infection
Consuming foods contaminated with Listeria can lead to infection, which can be potentially serious and even fatal.
According to the Mayo Clinic, healthy people rarely become very ill from Listeria infection. However, pregnant women, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more at risk for infection.
As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Listeria infection is “the third leading cause of death from food borne illness in the United States.”
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