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FDA investigates Listeria outbreak for peaches, plums, and nectarines

hmc farms recall

From the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, November 21, 2023:

Product:

Recalled conventional (non-organic) peaches, plums, and nectarines sold in retail stores from May 1, 2022 through November 15, 2022 and from May 1, 2023 through November 15, 2023. The recalled fruit was sold at retail stores nationwide in bags or as individual pieces of fruit with PLU stickers, under multiple brand names.

Individual pieces of fruit with PLU stickers on the fruit labeled USA-E-U, containing the following numbers:

  • Yellow peach: 4044 or 4038
  • White peach: 4401
  • Yellow nectarine: 4036 or 4378
  • White nectarine: 3035
  • Red plum: 4042
  • Black plum: 4040
  • HMC Farms: peaches, plums, or nectarines sold in HMC Farms-branded bags
  • Signature Farms: peaches or nectarines sold in Signature Farms-branded bags and labeled with 6359 printed on a white sticker on the bag.

Additionally, the recalled fruit was sold to other manufacturers who may have frozen and/or relabeled the recalled fruit for resale under another brand. The firm has directly notified their customers who received recalled product and this advisory will be updated as more information becomes available.

Recalled fruit is past expiration and no longer available for sale in retail stores but could have been frozen by consumers. Fresh whole peaches, plums, and nectarines currently available for sale at retail are not included in this recall.

Stores Affected
The recalled fruit was distributed nationwide and sold at retail stores in bags or as individual pieces of fruit (see descriptions above).

Symptoms of Listeriosis (Listeria Infection)
Symptoms usually start within 2 weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after. Mild symptoms may include a fever, muscle aches, nausea, tiredness, vomiting, and diarrhea. If the more severe form of listeriosis develops, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.

Status
Ongoing: Updates to this advisory will be provided as they become available.

Recommendation

  • Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled peaches, plums, or nectarines. The recalled fruit is no longer available for sale and any previously purchased fruit should be past shelf life.
  • If you previously purchased fresh peaches, plums, and nectarines and then froze them, you should throw them away if they are part of the recall or if you cannot tell if they are part of the recall.
  • Anyone who received or purchased recalled peaches, plums and nectarines should use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with the recalled fruit to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. This includes baking or canning tools, cutting boards, knives, countertops, refrigerators, freezers, and storage bins.
  • If you have symptoms of listeriosis you should contact your health care provider to report your symptoms and receive care.
  • Recommendations for At-Risk Groups
  • Listeria is most likely to sicken pregnant people and newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems. Other people can be infected with Listeria, but they rarely become seriously ill.
  • Pregnant people typically experience only fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. However, Listeria infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
  • Call your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms of a Listeria infection.

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 11
Hospitalizations: 10
Deaths: 1
Last Sample Collection: August 16, 2023
States with Cases: CA, CO, FL, IL, KS, MI, OH
Product Distribution: Nationwide

Recalled Product
In response to this investigation, HMC Group Marketing, Inc has voluntarily recalled peaches, plums, and nectarines sold in retail stores nationally from May 1, 2022 through November 15, 2022 and from May 1, 2023 through November 15, 2023.

Additional information and product images can be found in the company recall announcement.

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