Peaches, Plums and Nectarines Are Being Recalled Over Listeria Concerns

If you’ve recently purchased some fresh stone fruit, you should know that peaches, plums and nectarines are being recalled nationwide due to listeria concerns. A random sampling revealed traces of the contamination.

The Yonkers, New York-based company, Jac. Vandenberg, Inc., is recalling 1,727 carts of peaches, 1,207 cartons of nectarines and 365 cartons of plums.

The fruit was distributed to retailers — including Aldi, Costco, Fairway Market, Market Basket and Walmart — across a number of states: Alabama, California, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia and Virginia.

The affected peaches and nectarines have the PLU sticker numbers of 4044, 3035 and 4378 and are shown as having the country of origin of Chile.

Peaches, nectarines and plums at Aldi are in 2-pound Rio Duero bags with EAN# 7804650090281, 7804650090298 and 7804650090304. At Costco, the nectarines are in 4-pound Rio Duero plastic clamshells with EAN# 7804650090212.

For complete details regarding affected products, visit the FDA site. If you believe you have purchased an affected product, you should return it to the retailer for a full refund. Contact Jac Vandenberg with questions by email at compliance@jacvandenberg.com.

So far, no illnesses associated with the affected fruit have been reported. Listeria is most dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, adults over 65 years of age and those with weakened immune systems.

People typically begin experiencing symptoms one to four weeks after eating a contaminated food. Pregnant women will experience fever and other flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue and muscle aches. Infections during pregnancy can lead to serious complications, including miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or infection in a newborn.

Non-pregnant people may experience headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions as well as fever and muscles aches. If you believe you consumed a contaminated food and are experiencing symptoms, you should seek medical care.

Listeria is diagnosed via a bacterial culture and is treated with antibiotics.  About 260 people die from listeria a year.