Albertsons Companies is advising consumers about a recall by its supplier HMC Farms of conventionally grown peaches, plums and nectarines due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recall is in response to an ongoing FDA outbreak investigation with 11 reported illnesses to date. HMC Farms is recalling stone fruit items including Signature Farms Peaches and Signature Farms Nectarines. No organic fruit is being recalled. HMC Farms’ recall announcement can be found here
Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. 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.
Consumers who purchased conventional peaches, plums, or nectarines through October 31 are urged not to consume these products and to dispose of them or return the items to their local store for a full refund. Although these perishable items are past their shelf-life, consumers may have frozen the recalled fruit at home for later use. Consumers are urged to check their freezers for the recalled fruit.
FDA recommends that anyone who purchased or received any recalled products use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with these products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Listeria monocytogenes can survive in refrigerated temperatures and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.
The HMC Farms peaches, plums and nectarines were available for purchase at the following Albertsons Cos. banner stores: ACME, Albertsons, Balducci's Food Lovers Market, Carrs, Eagle, Haggen, Kings Food Markets, Lucky, Pavilions, Safeway, Shaw’s, Star Market and Vons in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Southern California, Utah, Vermont, Virgina, Washington, D.C., the state of Washington and Wyoming.
Consumers with questions should contact Albertsons Companies’ Customer Service Center at 1-877-723-3929 Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. PST.