Fruit recall over Listeria scare widens to include Ralphs, Food 4 Less

A California packing company has voluntarily recalled fruit sold at Trader Joe’s, Costco, Food 4 Less, Foods Co. and Ralphs stores due to the possible contamination of Listeria monocytogenes, CBS News reported. The fruit has not been linked to any illnesses at this time.

Wawona Packing Co. in Cutler, Calif., has recalled specific lots of whole white and yellow peaches, white and yellow nectarines, plums and pluots. The products were packaged between June 1 and July 12. A full list of the products can be found online.

The company has listed specific packages as being affected, but does not know exactly where in the country the fruit was shipped, resulting in a nationwide recall, the company said in a statement.

The recall also applies to baked goods that were made using peaches, nectarines and plums from Wawona Packing Co. Ralphs and Food 4 Less also included a list of affected products online, including two-layer trays of red plums, two-pound bags of nectarines, two-pound bags of peaches and two-pound bags of plums, all with “sweet to eat� stickers purchased between June 1 and July 20.

The fruit was recalled as a result of internal company testing. The facility was shut down, sanitized, then retested. All tests for Listeria performed after the sanitation were negative, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a statement.

“We are aware of no illnesses related to the consumption of these products,� Brent Smittcamp, president of Wawona Packing Co., said in a statement. “By taking the precautionary step of recalling product, we will minimize even the slightest risk to public health, and that is our priority.�

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists Listeria as a serious infection usually caused by consuming food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. Listeria can be dangerous for older adults, pregnant women, newborns and adults with weakened immune systems. The CDC notes Listeria can sometimes affect people without these risk factors, causing short-term fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

The FDA is asking anyone who purchased the recalled products to not eat them and to throw them away. Consumers with questions can contact Wawona Packing Co. at (888) 232-9912.

Twitter: @Jenn_Harris_