Fresh Vegetables Sold at Walmart, Kroger Recalled in 18 States Due to Listeria

It’s time to check your produce drawer! According to a recent announcement from the Food & Drug Administration, Wiers Farm Inc. is recalling multiple produce items, including several fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs, due to Listeria concerns. This recall, which is actually an expansion of an earlier recall, impacts multiple states and more than two dozen distinct products. Additionally, the products involved in this expanded recall were packed between July 5-12.

The initial recall, which was only for whole and salad cucumbers, impacted select Walmart stores in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. It was initiated after the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) routinely sampled some of the cucumbers and discovered that they may be contaminated with Listeria.

This current recall began after the Ohio Department of Agriculture began an investigation in response to original findings reported by MDARD. The specific items involved in the latest recall include bagged green beans, organic zucchini, bunches of cilantro, and green bell peppers and tomatillos sold by the pound. Additionally, the recalled items were sold in 18 states at retailers including Walmart, Aldi, Kroger, and more.

The recalled items are listed below:

Packaged items sold at select Walmart stores in CT, DE, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, and WV

• Wiers Farm Bagged Poblano - UPC 073064202581 – 16 oz bag
• Wiers Farm Bagged Cubanelle - UPC 073064201836 – 16 oz bag
• Wiers Farm Bagged Green Beans – UPC 073064200846 – variable weight bag
• Wiers Farm Bagged Salad Cucumber – UPC 073064459619 – 2 lb. bag
• Wiers Farm Bagged Serrano – UPC 073064201829 – 4 oz bag
• Wiers Farm Organic Bell Pepper – UPC 073064201416 – 2 count tray
• Wiers Farm Organic Cucumber – UPC 073064201423 – 2 count tray
• Wiers Farm Organic Yellow Squash – UPC 073064201447 – 2 count tray
• Wiers Farm Organic Zucchini Squash – UPC 073064201430 – 2 count tray

Packaged items sold at Aldi stores in KY, NY, OH, PA and WV

• Freshire Farms Bagged Green Beans – 16 oz bag
• Freshire Farms Bagged Jalapenos – 8 oz bag

Bulk items sold individually, or by the pound

• Anaheim peppers
• Cilantro – sold in bunches
• Cubanelle peppers
• Cucumber – whole
• Green beans
• Green Bell Pepper
• Habanero peppers
• Hungarian Wax peppers
• Jalapeno peppers
• Mixed Vegetable Box (shipped to Cleveland and Youngstown, Ohio Foodbanks only)
• Mustard Greens – sold in bunches
• Pickling Cucumber
• Plain Parsley – sold in bunches
• Poblano peppers
• Serrano peppers
• Tomatillos
  

To see where the above items were distributed in each state, click here.

While no illnesses related to this recall have been reported to date, the FDA is strongly encouraging consumers to check their homes for any of the recalled items and dispose of them immediately. Additionally, Wiers Farm Inc. said in a statement that it is “committed to implementing all measures necessary to fully resolve this situation.”

Per the FDA, Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. While healthy individuals may experience symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, a listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Consumers with questions about this recall may contact Wiers Farm Inc. at (419) 933-2161 or email the company at customercare@wiersfarm.com.