Listeria is a type of bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in people who consume contaminated food. Listeria can affect anyone, but it is especially harmful for young children, elderly people, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.
Some of the symptoms of listeria infection include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. In pregnant women, listeria can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), listeria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States. It is estimated that about 1,600 people get sick from listeria each year, and about 260 of them die.
Which products are affected by the recall?
The recall was initiated by Twin City Foods, Inc., a Washington-based company that distributes frozen vegetables and corn to various grocery stores nationwide. The company discovered the potential contamination after one of its customers tested positive for listeria in its sweet cut corn.
The recalled products include frozen sweet corn and mixed vegetables sold under different brand names at Kroger, Food Lion, Signature Select, and other stores. The products have UPC codes that can be checked on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website.
The recall affects only certain lots of the products that were produced between October 2022 and March 2023. The products have best by dates ranging from October 2024 to March 2025. The products were distributed to retail stores in 34 states and Puerto Rico.
What should consumers do if they have the recalled products?
Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products are urged not to consume them and to either discard them or return them to the store where they were bought for a full refund. Consumers can also contact Twin City Foods at (360) 629-5678 for more information.
Consumers who have eaten any of the recalled products and have symptoms of listeria infection should seek medical attention immediately. Consumers should also report any illnesses to their local health department and to the FDA.
The FDA advises consumers to follow these general tips to prevent listeria infection:
- Wash your hands before and after handling food
- Wash fruits and vegetables before eating them
- Cook meat and poultry thoroughly
- Keep your refrigerator below 40°F and your freezer below 0°F
- Use precooked or ready-to-eat foods as soon as possible
- Avoid unpasteurized milk and cheese
How is the company handling the recall?
Twin City Foods has issued a voluntary recall of its affected products and has notified its customers and distributors. The company is working with the FDA and other authorities to investigate the source of the contamination and to ensure that no other products are affected.
The company has also issued an apology to its consumers and has assured them that it is taking all necessary steps to prevent any future incidents. The company stated that it is committed to providing safe and high-quality products to its customers.
The company has been in business since 1943 and is one of the largest processors of frozen vegetables in the country. The company operates four facilities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Wisconsin.