The HMC Group Marketing, Inc. (dba HMC Farms) has recalled conventionally grown (not organic) whole peaches, plums, and nectarines due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
According to the company’s news release, the recalled peaches have been linked to an eleven-case outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes illnesses in the United States.
On November 15, 2023, the FDA announced that it had opened an investigation into a new eleven-case “…outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #989) linked to a not yet identified product…” and that sample collection and analysis had been initiated.
Neither the company nor the FDA have indicated where in the United States the outbreak cases occurred, or whether any of the eleven victims were hospitalized.
The recalled fruit was sold in retail stores nationwide, either as individual pieces bearing PLU stickers or as packaged whole fruit, between May 1 and November 15, 2022 and between May 1 and November 15, 2023.
Although the recalled items are no longer available in retail stores, consumers may have frozen the recalled fruit at home for later use. Consumers are urged to check their freezers for the recalled fruit, not consume it, and discard it.
Listeria monocytogenes 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.
Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?
Click on the link to listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.
eFoodAlert 