Country Fresh Watermelon Chunks recalled due to Listeria On Packing Equipment – Product Widely Shipped
Country Fresh recently issued a recall of a select number of watermelon chunks due to a contamination of Listeria on the packaging equipment used for this product. The FDA discovered the contamination of the packaging equipment during an inspection. These watermelon chunks may be sold under the brand names of Walmart or RaceTrac. This product was shipped to Walmart and RaceTrac retail distribution center stores in Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma, and Texas. The product is labeled with best-if-used by dates of October 2, 3, and 4, 2020. Consumers should check their kitchen for products with the following SKUs, as listed by the FDA:
Walmart – Freshness Guaranteed
Watermelon 4 x 10 oz – UPC Code: 681131180672
Watermelon 2 x 32 oz – UPC Code: 681131180672 Watermelon Chunks 2 x 42 oz – UPC Code: 681131180658 Watermelon Spears 4 x 16 oz – UPC Code: 681131180665 Summer Blend FTC 4 x 5 oz – UPC Code: 681131355094
RaceTrac
Watermelon 5.5oz – UPC Code: 74641000644 Melon Trio 5.5oz – UPC Code: 74641031945
The symptoms of Listeriosis (Listeria) can vary; however, the most common are fever, diarrhea, headache, stiff neck/muscle aches, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Listeria can be extremely dangerous for pregnant women and their unborn, the weak or elderly, and young children. Symptoms of Listeriosis typically set in 1-4 weeks after consuming contaminated food; however, victims can experience symptoms as early as the same day of consumption, and as late as 70 days after consumption.
As stated by the food poisoning lawyers at Ron Simon & Associates:
“Check to see if you have the recalled product in your home. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased. Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick.”
Consumers should always follow good food safety practices, and strictly avoid recalled products.
Country Fresh is working closely with the FDA to settle this issue. As of October 1, 2020, Country Fresh has not received any reports of infection. Customers may contact Country Fresh customer service at 1-877-251-8300.
