A popular supermarket chain is cautioning consumers following a recall of green peppers, jalapeños, and green beans in five states.
Aldi issued a notice online on Monday, alerting customers about the recall of “Freshire Farms” label products due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a harmful bacteria that can lead to severe infections, including fatal ones.
The recall specifically affects 8-ounce bags of jalapeños with UPC number 4099100087680, 16-ounce three-pack bags of green peppers with UPC number 4099100087598, and 16-ounce bags of green beans with UPC number 4099100087826.
Although Aldi operates numerous stores across many states, this recall is limited to products sold in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
The company stated that the recall was initiated in collaboration with Wiers Farm, Inc. and R.S. Hanline Co Inc. as a precautionary measure.
“ALDI prioritizes the safety and quality of its products. Customers who have purchased the affected products are advised to either dispose of them immediately or return them to a local store for a full refund,” the recall notice emphasized.
ALDI expressed regret for any inconvenience or concern caused by the recall and provided a contact number for queries or assistance related to the recall: 1-888-484-4834, available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
While the presence of any reported illnesses linked to the recall was not confirmed, individuals experiencing illness post-consumption of the products should seek medical help.
Listeriosis, a potential infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes, can lead to severe symptoms, with around 260 out of 1,600 annual cases resulting in fatalities, according to the CDC.
Infections typically manifest as digestive issues such as diarrhea and vomiting within 24 hours of consuming contaminated food. However, some individuals may develop a more invasive form of the illness within two weeks.
Symptoms of invasive listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures. Approximately one in 20 nonpregnant individuals with this form of listeriosis succumb to the illness.
For pregnant individuals, symptoms are generally mild, but invasive illness can lead to severe outcomes like miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infections in newborns, as per the CDC.
Concerns about potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination often prompt food recalls, alongside occurrences involving other dangerous pathogens like salmonella or norovirus, as well as worries related to undisclosed allergens.