Peaches, plums, and nectarines in California may be contaminated with Listeria, a type of bacteria formally known as Listeriosis. However, there are no reported cases in California at this time.
According to USA Today, the initial recall was nationwide and alerted buyers of fruit that was packed and bought between June 1 and July 12. The recall was extended five days until July 17by the Wawona Packing Company in Cutler, CA because the company was not aware of all the stores and retailers that received the fruit.
Fruits contaminated by the bacteria include yellow and white peaches, yellow and white nectarines, and black plums and pluots.
Warnings from large store chains, such as Costco, Walmart and Whole Foods Markets, have urged customers against buying fruit that might be contaminated with Listeria.
The outbreak has affected a greater area than just California. Retailers in Australia and Canada were also warned and included in the recall, according to Food Safety News in an online article.
Safe food preparation, production and storage can reduce the probability of the spread of Listeria, but cannot completely eliminate possible contamination.
Listeria mostly affects pregnant women (with fetal loss as the extreme result), newborn babies who can contract meningitis, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms include fever, nausea, diarrhea, headache, stiff-neck, confusion and extreme fatigue, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The incubation period of Listeria spans from three to 70 days before symptom manifestation.
Fruit bought between June 1 and July 17should be placed aside, especially if it has a label that reads “Sweet2Eat,” “Mrs. Smittcamp’s” or “Sweet2Eat Organic.”
Sarina deSousa
Business Manager
sdesousa2@ucmerced.edu