Additional frozen vegetables recalled because of Listeria contamination

Twin City Foods Inc. of Stanwood, WA, is recalling not-ready-to eat frozen corn and mixed vegetables in retail bags, because of a potential for them to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The affected brands are Kroger, Food Lion and Signature. Food Lion previously posted its own recall of frozen mixed vegetables and frozen sweet corn products because of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

There is concern that consumers may have the recalled frozen vegetables in their homes because of the products’ long shelf life.

To date, there have been no actual consumer reports of human illness associated with this products according to the recall notice supplied to the Food and Drug Administration by Twin City Foods Inc.

“The recall has been initiated because finished products may potentially be contaminated with the Listeria monocytogenes, based on one customer’s third- party lab results for the IQF (individually quick frozen) sweet cut corn,” according to the recall notice.

Consumers can use the following information to determine whether they have the recalled products in their homes:

Consumers who have purchased the affected products are urged not to consume the products and immediately return them to the store where they purchased them for a full refund.

Consumers with any questions may contact Twin City Foods at 360-629-5678.

About Listeria infectionsFood contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any recalled products and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop.

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

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