Update on vegetable recall as FDA sets highest risk level

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the highest risk rating to a vegetable recall

Ohio-based Wiers Farm has recalled some of its packaged vegetables and salads over concerns that they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Wiers Farm initiated the recall “out of an abundance of caution” following findings reported by the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDARD). It was later expanded to include other Wiers Farm products.

The FDA has now designated the products as Class I, which is issued when there is a “reasonable probability that use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”

The vegetables subject to recall and the FDA’s classification of them are as follows:

• Wiers Farm – Whole Salad Cucumbers Packed in 2 Pound Plastic Bags, 10 Bags Per Case – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Bulk Whole Cucumbers, 62 per case – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Cubanelle packaged in 16 oz plastic bag – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Green beans packed in bags of different weights – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Serrano Peppers Packed in 4oz Plastic Bag – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Organic Bell Peppers Packed in 2-Count Trays – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Organic cucumber packed in 2-unit trays – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Organic Yellow Squash Packaged in 2-Count Trays – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Organic Pumpkin Packaged in 2-Count Trays – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Jalapeno Peppers Packaged in 8oz Bags – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Anaheim Peppers Packed in 1 Pound Boxes – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Cilantro packed in 1 lb boxes – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Habanero Peppers Packed in 1 Pound Carton – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Green Bell Pepper Packed in 1 Pound Carton – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Hungarian Wax Peppers Packed in 1 Pound Carton – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Mixed vegetable box packed in cardboard boxes – Class I
• Wiers Farm: mustard greens packed in cardboard boxes, class I
• Wiers Farm – Pickling Cucumbers Packaged in 1 Pound Boxes – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Common Parsley Packed in 1 Pound Boxes – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Tomatillos packed in 1 pound boxes – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Acron Squash Packaged in 1 Pound Boxes – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Pumpkin packed in 1 pound boxes – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Green Cabbage Packed in 1 Pound Boxes – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Purple Cabbage Packed in 1 Pound Boxes – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Eggplants packed in 1 pound boxes – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Spaghetti Squash Packaged in 1 Pound Boxes – Class I

The contaminated products were sold at Walmart in 13 states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

They were also sold at Aldi stores in Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

In Tennessee, Rhode Island, North Carolina, Missouri, Maine, Indiana, Illinois and Delaware, products can also be purchased at Kroger or Save-a-lot.

At the time of Wiers Farm’s initial recall, no consumer illnesses or complaints had been reported. Newsweek Magazine has emailed Wiers Farm for comment.

Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogenic bacteria that can cause listeriosis. The most common symptoms of listeriosis are nausea, muscle aches, fever, and diarrhea. In very young, elderly, or immunocompromised people, listeriosis can be fatal. Those who develop symptoms should seek medical help immediately.