Vegetable Recall Update as Contamination Risk Spreads

Ohio-based Wiers Farm has expanded an earlier recall of some of its bagged vegetable products sold at Walmart and Aldi stores across the country out of “an abundance of caution” as it fears they might be contaminated with dangerous bacteria.

The company initially issued a voluntary recall of some of its vegetable products on July 12, citing a potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. After an investigation conducted with the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) in response to original findings reported by the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDARD), Wiers Farm decided to expand the recall to include more products packed between July 5 and 12.

The original recall was only for two products, Weirs Farms’ Whole Cucumbers and Wiers Farms 2 lb bagged Salad Cucumbers distributed in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.

Newsweek reached out to Wiers Farm via email for comment.

Here is a list of all the recalled products distributed in Walmart stores in 13 states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia:

• Wiers Farm Bagged Poblano – UPC 073064202581 – 16 oz bag
• Wiers Farm Bagged Cubanelle – UPC 073064201836 – 16 oz bag
• Wiers Farm Bagged Green Beans – UPC 073064200846 – variable weight bag
• Wiers Farm Bagged Salad Cucumber – UPC 073064459619 – 2 lb. bag
• Wiers Farm Bagged Serrano – UPC 073064201829 – 4 oz bag
• Wiers Farm Organic Bell Pepper – UPC 073064201416 – 2 count tray
• Wiers Farm Organic Cucumber – UPC 073064201423 – 2 count tray
• Wiers Farm Organic Yellow Squash – UPC 073064201447 – 2 count tray
• Wiers Farm Organic Zucchini Squash – UPC 073064201430 – 2 count tray

These are the recalled products distributed in Aldi stores in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia:

• Freshire Farms Bagged Green Beans – 16 oz bag
• Freshire Farms Bagged Jalapenos – 8 oz bag

Some of the recalled items are also sold individually or by the pound, including Anaheim peppers, cilantro (sold in bunches), cubanelle peppers, cucumber (whole), green beans, green bell pepper, habanero peppers, Hungarian wax peppers, jalapeño peppers, mixed vegetable box (shipped to Cleveland and Youngstown, Ohio Foodbanks only), mustard greens (sold in bunches), pickling cucumber, plain parsley (sold in bunches), poblano peppers, serrano peppers and tomatillos.

These items are distributed by Walmart in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. They are distributed by Save-a-Lot in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia and West Virginia.

In Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee and West Virginia, these products can also be found at Kroger. For more details and shops where you might find these bulk items, check the FDA report on the recall.

Consumers should discard the product and avoid consumption. Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause an illness called listeriosis. Common symptoms are fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal issues, which may last days to several weeks. Those who have consumed the affected products and are experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention.