Willard, Ohio-based Wiers Farm Inc. has expanded a July 12 recall of select whole cucumbers and bagged salad cucumbers to now include additional produce items due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes (“Listeria”). Listeria is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems.
Background
The presence of contamination was identified during testing carried out by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The initially recalled items were sent to designated Walmart stores in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. The list of retailers and states where all current recalled products were distributed has now been updated. See list below.
Wiers Farm said that the expanded recall is in response to an investigation by the Ohio Department of Agriculture into the initially recalled whole cucumbers and bagged salad cucumbers.
Product Details
- Retailer – Walmart
- States – select stores in CT, DE, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, and WV
| Brand | Product | UPC Code | Size | Packaging |
| Wiers Farm | Bagged Poblano | 073064202581 | 16 oz | Bag |
| Bagged Cubanelle | 073064201836 | |||
| Bagged Green Beans | 073064200846 | Variable weight | ||
| Bagged Salad Cucumber | 073064459619 | 2 lb | ||
| Bagged Serrano | 073064201829 | 4 oz | ||
| Organic Bell Pepper | 073064201416 | 2 count | Tray | |
| Organic Cucumber | 073064201423 | |||
| Organic Yellow Squash | 073064201447 | |||
| Organic Zucchini Squash | 073064201430 |
- Retailer – Aldi
- States – KY, NY, OH, PA, and WV
| Brand | Product | Size | Packaging |
| Freshire Farms | Bagged Green Beans | 16 oz | Bag |
| Bagged Jalapenos | 8 oz |
- Bulk produce sold individually or by the pound
- Anaheim peppers
- Cilantro – sold in bunches
- Cubanelle peppers
- Cucumber – whole
- Green beans
- Green Bell Pepper
- Habanero peppers
- Hungarian Wax peppers
- Jalapeno 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
- Tomatillos
- Retail distribution for bulk produce sold individually or by the pound
| Connecticut | Walmart, Save-a-Lot |
| Delaware | Walmart, Save-a-Lot. |
| Illinois | Walmart, Kroger. |
| Indiana | Walmart, Kroger. |
| Kentucky | Walmart, Kroger. |
| Maine | Save-a-Lot. |
| Maryland | Walmart, Save-a-Lot, Shop N Save (cucumber, green bell pepper and pickling cucumber only) . |
| Michigan | Walmart, Kroger, Save-a-Lot. |
| Missouri | Kroger |
| New Jersey | Walmart, Save-a-Lot. |
| New York | Walmart, Save-a-Lot, Shop N Save (cucumber, green bell pepper and pickling cucumber only). |
| North Carolina | Save-a-Lot |
| Ohio | Walmart, Kroger, Save-a-Lot, Shop N Save (cucumber, green bell pepper and pickling cucumber only), Cleveland and Youngstown Foodbanks (mixed vegetable boxes only) |
| Pennsylvania | Walmart Save-a-Lot Shop N Save and Shop N Save Express (cucumber, green bell pepper and picking cucumber only) Shoppers Value Masontown, PA (cucumber only) Franklin Foods Inc. Kitanning, PA (cucumber only) Grove City Country Market Grove City, PA (green bell pepper and picking cucumber only) Fas Chek Market (cucumber only) Foodland (cucumber, green bell pepper and picking cucumber only) Pechin Market Connellsville, PA (green bell pepper only) Sherwood Forest Foods Ligonier, PA (green bell pepper only) Market Basket Johnstown, PA (picking cucumber only) |
| Rhode Island | Save-a-Lot |
| Tennessee | Kroger |
| Virginia | Walmart, Save-a-Lot |
| West Virginia | Walmart, Kroger, Save-a-Lot, Shop N Save and Shop N Save Express (cucumber, green bell pepper and pickling cucumbers only), Foodland (cucumber, green bell pepper and pickling cucumber only), Fas Chek Market (cucumber only) |
All recalled products were packed between July 5 and July 12.
Consumer Action
As with all food recalls, consumers should not consume the affected products even if they look or smell safe to drink.
Consumers who still possess any of the recalled products should dispose of them immediately.
Consumers with additional questions or concerns can contact Wier Farm by phone at 419-933-2161 or by email at [email protected].
Health Risks
Listeriosis is an infection that causes fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, and muscle aches and is caused by the consumption of food contaminated by bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Unlike other strains of bacteria, listeria multiplies in foods stored in the refrigerator. Pasteurization and thorough cooking are the most effective methods of killing the bacteria and preventing infection.
Commenting on this story, one national Listeria attorney said, “This recall has clearly grown beyond the original two items, meaning that there is a greater chance that consumers could have one or more of the affected products in their homes. Listeria can be especially dangerous for many members of the population so please throw away any recalled product as soon as possible.”
