Walmart, Trader Joe's fruit recalled in Listeria scare
Wawona Packing, a California-based fruit firm, is recalling approximately three dozen different brand products of its bulk and packaged fruit from distribution around the country.
The company is recalling plums, peaches, nectarines, and pluots packed at its facility. The products affected fall under three different brand names: Wawona, Sweet 2 Eat, and Harvest Sweet.
Listeria test
The recall comes after internal testing detected Listeria monocytogenes on one packing line. The positive test moved the company to initiate the voluntary recall, affecting products packaged at the facility between June 1 and June 12 of this year.
Brent Smittcamp, Wawona Packing president, told FoodProductionDaily the company took the action of initiating a recall as a precautionary move.
“We are aware of no illnesses related to the consumption of these products,” he said. “By taking the precautionary step of recalling product, we will minimize even the slightest risk to public health, and that is our priority.”
Proactive steps
After the presence of Listeria was detected, Wawona Packing personnel shut down the affected packing lines, retrofitted the equipment, sanitized the entire facility, and retested for the presence of contaminants. According to Wawona Packing, subsequent tests have all come up negative.
Wawona Packing has alerted the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the fruit recall, as well as reached out to its nationwide customers carrying the bulk and prepackaged items.
