With 68 Reported Cases of Salmonellosis, Additional Peaches Recalled Due to Salmonella Outbreak
Epidemiological evidence procured by the CDC has indicated that the most probable source of the August 2020 Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak is peaches, specifically peaches supplied by Prima Wawona and Wawona Packing Company. Originally only recalling bagged peaches sold at ALDI, Prima Wawona has expanded their recall to include bulk or loose peaches, sold from June 1, 2020 to August 3, 2020, as well as bagged Wawona and Organic Wawona peaches sold from June 1, 2020 to August 19, 2020, for potential Salmonella contamination. The contaminated peaches were sold under the following brand names and product codes: Wawona Peaches – 033383322001, Wawona Organic Peaches – 849315000400, Prima® Peaches – 766342325903, Organic Marketside Peaches – 849315000400, Kroger Peaches – 011110181749, Wegmans Peaches – 077890490488 sold at ALDI, Target, Walmart, Wegmans, and Kroger and affiliated stores Jay-C, King Soopers, City Market, Fry’s, Ralph’s, Food 4 Less, Foods Co., and Smiths. Bulk and loose peaches from Prima Wawona were sold under PLU numbers 4037, 4038, 4044, 4401, 94037, 94038, 94044, and 94401. If consumers cannot tell the date of purchase for Wawona peaches, or if the peaches have been recalled, consumers are urged to dispose of the peaches previously purchased. Food safety agencies also advise consumers to thoroughly cleanse any containers and surfaces that have come in contact with the recalled peaches, such as cutting boards and container bins.
As of August 19, 2020, there have been 68 reported cases of salmonellosis in nine states (IA, MD, MI, MN, NJ, NY, PA, VA, and WI) due to the peaches outbreak, requiring 14 hospitalizations. According to Peach Salmonella Lawyer Ron Simon, however, “this number is expected to be much lower than the actual count because of under-reporting – especially during the COVID pandemic.”
Though it is suspected the contaminated peaches were distributed nationwide, investigators can only confirm that the peaches were distributed in CT, FL, IA, IL, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, ND, NH, NY, OH, PA, RI, SD, VA, VT, WI, and WV. The FDA, in partnership with the CDC and local state partners, is currently investigating the outbreak and procuring evidence to declare the official cause, source, and breadth of the outbreak.