Several vegetable products recalled in July due to potentially being contaminated with bacteria have been given the highest-possible risk category by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
A total of 19 products from Supreme Produce were recalled after the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) discovered "possible contamination with Listeria Monocytogenes."
Now, the FDA has assigned many of these products—distributed across Indiana—a Class I risk level, which is given in "a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death."
The Class I products include Supreme Grilling Veggies 19 OZ (with UPC 8-50053-68584), Supreme Vegetable Kabobs 27 OZ (UPC 8-50053-68585), Supreme Vegetable Bowl 26 OZ (UPC 8-60010-50713), Supreme Peppers Tri Blend 8 OZ (UPC 8-50053-68534), Supreme Jalapenos Diced 7 OZ (UPC 8-50053-68536), Supreme Peppers W/Onions 7 OZ (UPC 8-50053-68538), and Supreme Peppers Snacking 12 OZ (UPC 8-50053-68553).
These products were distributed in Kroger stores across Indiana, and were voluntarily recalled by Supreme.
The Grilling Vegetables 19 oz, Snacking Peppers 12 oz, Vegetable Bowl 26 oz, and Vegetable Kabob 27 oz products all have a Best-By date of 7/11/2024 to 7/26/2024, while the Diced Jalapeno 7 oz, Diced Pepper W/ White Onions 7 oz and Diced Pepper Tri-Blend 7 oz products have Best-By dates of 7/9/2024 to 7/24/2024.
Newsweek approached Kroger and GBC Food Services, connected to Supreme Service Solutions LLC, for comment.
"Supreme Service Solutions LLC. (dba Supreme Produce) is assisting in a Kroger Store recall for items purchased from Weirs Farm Inc. (purchased from Kroger Stores) due to possible contamination with Listeria Monocytogenes," the FDA said in the original recall notice in July.
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause a serious infection when people consume contaminated food. Unlike many other bacteria, Listeria can grow at low temperatures, including refrigeration, which makes it particularly dangerous, as it can thrive in foods typically kept cold.
For healthy adults, Listeria might cause mild symptoms, such as fever, diarrhea, and muscle aches. Infection can be more severe for vulnerable groups like pregnant women, newborns, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems.
"Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems," the FDA explained. "Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women."
Luckily, no illnesses have been reported as a result of consuming these products.
"Consumers should not consume and discard the product. The product(s) involved is past its shelf life and should already be out of distribution, but if consumers have any product they question, do not consume it, but rather discard it," the FDA explains.
The original recall also included other products, such as Butternut Squash Cubes, Chopped Cilantro, Pico De Gallo, and Salsa, but these have not been assigned a risk level. These products were distributed in Kroger stores across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio. Additionally, several guacamole products from the company were given a Class I risk level.
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