Listeria Threat: FDA Announces Recall of Pre-Cut Watermelon, Apples, Other Fruits

By Madelaine D. First Posted: Oct 06, 2020 08:20 AM EDT

Pre-cut watermelon, apples, and other fruits have been recalled in several states across the U.S. over concerns that these are contaminated with listeria, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said.

According to Fox News, the affected fruits were shipped to Walmart distribution centers before being sent to Walmart stores in nine states.

The FDA said the County Fresh has voluntarily recalled its pre-cut fruit products due to the risk of contracting a foodborne pathogen called Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause serious illness and even be fatal in some cases.

Initially, the recall only involved pre-cut watermelon. But now, it involves other fruits such as apples, grapes, mangos, pineapples, and cantaloupe, all of which were distributed by Walmart, as per the FDA.

The Country Fresh has voluntarily recalled pre-cut watermelon, apples, mangoes, grapes, cantaloupe, and pineapples after the FDA discovered Listeria monocytogenes on the equipment where the products are being packed.

"The recall is a precautionary measure due to possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes detected on equipment used in an area near where these products are packed. FDA discovered these findings during a recent inspection," the FDA said in a statement.

(Photo : US FDA)
Listeria Threat: FDA Recalls Pre-cut Apples, Watermelons, Other Fruits The recall is a precautionary measure due to possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes detected on equipment used in an area near where these products are packed. FDA discovered these findings during a recent inspection.

The FDA noted that the affected fruits were sent to Walmart stores located in Indiana, Kansas, Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Texas.

The agency said the products placed in "various clamshell size containers" have "best by" dates between Oct. 3 and Oct. 11. The FDA said that no illnesses related to the recalled items had been reported to date.

Walmart retail stores are immediately removing the said products from the store shelves and inventories. Click here to see the full list of recalled items.

The FDA advised consumers who were able to buy the recalled product not to consume it and discard it immediately.

As per CNN, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated by Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeriosis could cause a variety of symptoms such as diarrhea and fever, which are similar to other contaminated foodborne illnesses. Others who get infected also experience stiff neck, headaches, confusion, convulsion, loss of balance, abdominal pain, and muscle aches.

The FDA said young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of severe illness.

For pregnant women, the FDA noted that being infected with listeriosis could lead to stillbirth, premature delivery, miscarriage, and even a newborn's life-threatening infection.