According to Business Insider, grocery chains including Walmart, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s have issued a recall on certain vegetable products from packaged vegetable supplier Mann Packing.
A random sampling by a food inspection agency found a single positive result for listeria, leading Mann Packing to issue a recall “out of an abundance of caution” last week.
The recall has led to several follow-up recalls at major grocers across the US.
Walmart is recalling certain bagged veggies, including broccoli and cauliflower.
Trader Joe’s is recalling its Kohlrabi Salad Blend.
And, Whole Foods Market is recalling certain salads from 10 stores in California.
Regional grocers have also been impacted. Meijer is recalling a long list of packed produce items. Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, and Pak N’ Save are voluntarily recalling certain fresh vegetable trays and cups in eight states. H-E-B recalled certain single-serve soups made with the vegetables.
Listeria is a bacteria that can be extremely dangerous if it infects people with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly and children. According to the FDA, symptoms include “high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.”
At this point, there are no reported illnesses associated with any Mann Packing products.
Pre-cut packaged vegetables are one of the food products most susceptible to food poisoning contamination. Attorney Bill Marler, who specializes in foodborne illness cases, says that he avoids pre-cut and pre-washed fruits and vegetables.
If you do buy pre-packaged vegetables, here are three things to keep in mind:
1. Buy cold veggies
Only buy pre-cut vegetables from the grocery store’s refrigerated section. It is best if they are chilled at a temperature of 4°C/39°F.
2. Check the labels
Be sure to check the dates on any pre-cut vegetable packet. Look for either a packaging date or a use-by date and…
… make your purchase based on which container is freshest.
After five or six days, the vitamin C and carotenoid levels begin to drop in pre-cut vegetables.
When selecting pre-cut vegetables, I always look for ones that are pre-washed and ready to eat. However, if you buy pre-cut leafy green vegetables in open bags, wash them before consuming.
3. Eat within a few days
Because these vegetables have already been cut and exposed to the air, you can’t let them sit in your refrigerator as long as you might a whole vegetable.
Pre-cut foods will begin to break down quicker, so eat them in a timely fashion – usually within the five or six days before the vitamin levels drop off.
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