Katherine Webster  |  October 5, 2020

Category: Consumer News

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Country Fresh packaged fruit may be contaminated.

Walmart produce supplier Country Fresh has expanded its voluntary recall of fresh cut fruit due to a potential risk of Listeria contamination.

Country Fresh initially announced the voluntary recall Oct. 1 but has expanded it, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The expanded recall affects “cut or sliced apples, grapes, mangoes, pineapples, and cantaloupe.”

The fresh cut fruit was recalled as a precaution after the FDA found Listeria monocytogenes on equipment in an area near where the fruit products are packaged during a recent inspection.

The fruit was shipped to Walmart retail distribution centers, then sent to stores in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas, according to the FDA.

The recalled fruit was packaged in various sizes of clear clamshell containers.

The packages’ “best if used by” dates fall between Oct. 3, 2020, and Oct. 11, 2020.

The original Country Fresh recall affected only watermelon and mixed-fruit blends with specific SKUs and best-by dates of Oct. 2-4, 2020, that were shipped to Walmart and RaceTrac distribution centers and select stores in several states.

However, the expanded recall includes the following:

Country Fresh fruit recall list (FDA)

“Country Fresh takes food safety matters very seriously, stringently follows all mandated regulations and implements preventive measures designed to minimize potential risks,” the company said in a statement, according to BGR. “Country Fresh is working in close coordination with FDA in its continuing investigation to resolve the matter promptly and deeply regrets the inconvenience to our consumers and customers.”

BGR points out that it’s possible that the fruit is not contaminated. However, Country Fresh issued the recall because no one can be sure.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious, sometimes fatal infections in people with weakened immune systems, in the frail or elderly, and in young children, according to the FDA.

Listeria infection can cause high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea and other gastroenterological symptoms in healthy people; however, it can cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.

Information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says serious listeriosis, which is most commonly seen in adults 65 and older and people with weakened immune systems, can cause severe bloodstream infections, which can cause sepsis, or brain infections, which can sometimes result in meningitis or encephalitis.

In addition, Listeria infections have been known to affect bones, joints, chest and abdomen sites and other areas of the body.

According to the CDC, people who have listeriosis usually report the onset of symptoms one to four weeks after eating Listeria-contaminated food. 

However, some people have reported symptoms beginning as late as 70 days after or as early as the same day of Listeria exposure.

About 1,600 people annually get sick from Listeria, and about 260 die, according to the CDC.

Country Fresh has so far not received any reports of illnesses, the FDA reported. 

Walmart is removing the products from store shelves and inventories.

The CDC recommends that anyone who believes they may have been infected with Listeria should seek medical care if they have a fever with other symptoms of listeriosis within two months of eating the possibly contaminated food, especially if they’re in one of the higher-risk groups.

However, experts say those who ate food that was potentially contaminated and do not feel sick do not need to seek tests or treatment, according to the CDC.

The FDA says consumers who have any of the recalled products on the list should not consume it and throw it away immediately.

Consumers with questions about the Country Fresh voluntary fruit recall may call customer service at 1-877-251-8300 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday.

Have you purchased Country Fresh fresh cut fruit from Walmart? Tell us about your experience in the comments.

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86 thoughts onWalmart Supplier Country Fresh Expands Fresh Cut Fruit Recall

  1. Mary Haney says:

    I purchase fruits from WalMart often.
    Add me please

  2. Millie Smith says:

    Add Me I buy fruit from Walmart weekly

  3. Darrell B Stewart says:

    Pls Add Me

  4. John DeGennaro says:

    add me

  5. Angela jackson says:

    Add me please just purchased the apple Carmel slices also the cantaloupe slices by the company why are they still selling this at Walmart I purchased this yesterday.

  6. Leigh Neria says:

    Please add

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