It urges Marylanders to throw out any CRF Frozen Food products in their refrigerator.
Consumers are warned not to eat frozen fruits and vegetable products from CRF Frozen Foods due to a potential Listeria contamination.
The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene says on April 23rd, the company recalled 11 frozen products because they might have had Listeria which can be found in dust, soil, water, sewage and in the environment. That recall was expanded on May 2nd to include frozen organic as well as traditional fruit and vegetable products manufactured by CRF’s Pasco, Washington plant.
The agency says Listeria can contaminate frozen foods and survive for an extended period of time with long shelf lives of up to a few years, according to DHMH.
Listeria causes Listeriosis which primarily affects pregnant women and their newborns, older adults and persons with immune systems which have been weakened by cancer, cancer treatments or other conditions such as diabetes, kidney failure, liver disease and HIV/AIDs.
A person with listeriosis generally has fever and muscle aches, and can also have a bloodstream infection or meningitis, according to DHMH. It can take two months for this disease to develop after eating contaminated food, but symptoms can also start within several days.
CRF Frozen Foods brands have been distributed in all US states, including Maryland, as well as some Canadian provinces. The products are sold at Wal Mart, Trader Joe’s, Sam’s Club, Safeway, Costco and other stores.
Anyone with questions can call CRF Frozen Foods’ consumer hot line at 1-844-551-5595 between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Pacific time.
If you have these products in your home, you’re asked to throw them out, or return to your grocery store for a refund.