DES MOINES, Iowa – Amid a massive frozen foods recall involving millions of packages of fruits and vegetables that were shipped to all 50 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico, authorities who want to stem the listeria-linked illnesses and deaths worry it’ll be difficult to get consumers to dig through their freezers and check for products they may have bought as far back as 2014.
It’s one of the largest food recalls in recent memory, with well over 400 products from CRF Frozen Foods in Pasco, Washington, sold under more than 40 different brand names at major retailers like Costco, Target, Trader Joe’s and Safeway. So far, eight people have been sickened by listeria that’s genetically similar to that found in CRF vegetables, and two have died, though listeria was not the primary cause of death.
“Unquestionably, this is a lot of product. … It reflects the severity of listeria as an illness, the long duration of illnesses and the outbreak and the long shelf life of the products,” said Matthew Wise, who leads the outbreak response team at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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“Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Please consult the full list of recalled food items at the bottom of the article”
The initial recall started April 22, covering 11 frozen vegetable products. On May 2, CRF expanded it to include all of its frozen organic and traditional fruit and vegetable products manufactured or processed at its Washington plant since May 1, 2014. Thanks to recently developed whole-genome sequencing of food-contaminating bacteria, the Food and Drug Administration and CDC found that the listeria bacteria found in the blood of a person sickened in 2013 is genetically similar to the listeria tied to the recall.
READ MORE: Dole Foods under criminal investigation for deadly listeria outbreak
“The idea is that it’s possible that it could be linked to this plant as far back as that because of the match. As a result the company, working with the FDA, decided to do the recall that far back,” CRF spokesman Gene Grabowski said.
The CRF plant closed two weeks ago and Grabowski said the company is still trying to pinpoint the source of the contamination.
Wise said his concern is that consumers check the online recall lists discard the products from of their freezers. “Listeriosis always makes us worry because it’s such a serious infection,” he said. The CDC says listeria is most harmful to adults over 65 with weakened immune systems and pregnant women.
Products were both packaged for sale as individual products and repackaged by places like Piggly Wiggly, Kroger and ConAgra foods as ingredients in a host of other store-brand and private-label products for stores like Trader Joe’s and Costco.
READ MORE: Costco issues food recall on chicken and fried-rice product
Also, retailers including Target and regional distributors such as Midwest grocery chain Hy-Vee Foods have recently recalled products made by Tokyo-based Ajinomoto Windsor due to the company recalling 70 of its Asian variety products that contain CRF vegetables – about 47 million pounds worth – some of which were also sold in Canada and Mexico.
The FDA and CDC have developed a system to track the genetic makeup of salmonella, listeria and E.coli. Once a food-related illness outbreak is identified, scientists can match the DNA from contaminated food with the bacteria making people sick and potentially trace it to the originating food processing plant.
In this outbreak, of those eight who were sick, six were in California. The two people who died were from Maryland and Washington.
Authorities say it’s unclear why there are not more illnesses from listeria. Wise said that the levels of listeria contamination might not be high or may be uneven in the packaged vegetables. Also, the vegetables in the recall are typically cooked before they’re eaten, which would kill the bacteria.
The CDC continues to monitor state illness reports for any sign of additional cases, Wise said.
Listeria causes an estimated 1,600 cases illnesses each year in the U.S., but just half are reported. About 18 per cent of listeriosis patients die.
FDA spokeswoman Lauren Sucher said it’s important to follow label directions for cooking frozen foods and to check freezers thoroughly for the products listed on the FDA website.
FULL LIST: Over 400 products affected by the frozen food recall
Brand | Container | UPC |
Bybee’s | ||
Bybee’s Big House Blend | 30lb | AZ#85 |
Bybee Foods Organic California Broccoli Florets | 4lb | 4635800050 |
Bybee’s Best 1″ Cut Green Beans | 20lb | 4635800012 |
Bybee Foods Cut Green Beans | 50lb | 205050004485CR |
Bybee Foods Organic Petite Whole Green Beans | 5lb | 5711000146 |
Bybee’s Best Whole Green Beans | 15lb | 4635800018 |
Bybee’s Best Cut Corn | 20lb | 4635800010 |
Bybee’s Best Cut Corn | 55lb | 45720025 |
Bybee Foods Cut Corn | 50lb | 132 |
Bybee Foods Organic Supersweet White Corn | 5lb | 5711000148 |
Bybee’s Best White Cut Corn | 20lb | 4635800034 |
Bybee Foods Northwest Growers Select | 5lb | 4635800043 |
Bybee’s Best Green Peas | 20lb | 4635800011 |
Bybee Foods Green Peas | 50lb | 155000007785CR |
Bybee Foods Organic Sweet Baby Peas | 5lb | 5711000145 |
Bybee’s Best Peas & Carrots | 20lb | 4635800013 |
Bybee’s Best Mixed Vegetables | 20lb | 4635800014 |
Bybee Foods Organic Mixed Vegetables | 5lb | 4635800051 |
Bybee Foods Organic Mixed Vegetables with | 5lb | 4635800001 |
Bybee Foods Organic Chopped Kale | 56oz | 4635800054 |
Bybee’s | ||
Bybee Foods Organic Steamers Roasted Red | 12oz | 4635800041 |
Bybee Foods Northwest Growers Select Chopped | 56oz | 4635800035 |
Bybee Foods Organic Steamers Sweet Potatoes | 12oz | 4635800052 |
Bybee Foods Organic Chopped Onions | 45lb | R02303 |
Columbia River Organics | ||
Columbia River Organics Organic Blueberries | 10oz | 5711000125 |
Columbia River Organics Organic Bounty Blend | 10oz | 4635800024 |
Columbia River Organics Organic Broccoli & | 10oz | 5711000140 |
Columbia River Organics Organic Broccoli Florets | 10oz | 5711000117 |
Columbia River Organics Organic Butternut | 10oz | 5711000141 |
Columbia River Organics Organic California | 10oz | 5711000122 |
Columbia River Organics Organic Cranberries | 10oz | 4635800026 |
Columbia River Organics Organic Cut Green Beans | 10oz | 5711000103 |
Columbia River Organics Organic Diced Onions | 10oz | 5711000116 |
Columbia River Organics Organic Edamame | 10oz | 5711000120 |
Columbia River Organics Organic French Cut | 10oz | 5711000105 |
Columbia River Organics Organic Garden Stir Fry | 10oz | 5711000124 |
Columbia River Organics Organic Gardener’s Blend | 10oz | 5711000114 |
Columbia River Organics Organic Peaches | 10oz | 5711000129 |
Columbia River Organics Organic Peas & Carrots | 10oz | 5711000112 |
Columbia River Organics Organic Peas & pearl | 10oz | 5711000113 |
Columbia River Organics Organic Petite Peas | 10oz | 5711000109 |
Columbia River Organics Organic Petite Whole | 10oz | 5711000102 |
Columbia River Organics Organic Potato Medley | 10oz | 4635800025 |
Columbia River Organics Organic Raspberries | 10oz | 5711000130 |
Columbia River Organics Organic Shelled | 10oz | 5711000119 |
Columbia River Organics Organic Spinach | 10oz | 5711000121 |
Columbia River Organics Organic Strawberries | 10oz | 5711000131 |
Columbia River Organics Organic Super Sweet | 10oz | 5711000107 |
Columbia River Organics Organic Sweet Cherries | 10oz | 5711000127 |
Columbia River Organics | ||
Columbia River Organics Organic Sweet Potatoes | 10oz | 4635800023 |
Columbia River Organics Organic Sweet Yellow | 10oz | 5711000106 |
Northwest Growers Select | ||
Northwest Growers Select Broccoli Cuts | 20lb | 4635800046 |
Northwest Growers Select Cob Corn | 96ct | 4635800049 |
Northwest Growers Select Cut Corn | 20lb | 5711000163 |
Northwest Growers Select Cut Corn | 30lb | 5711000165 |
Northwest Growers Select Cut Corn | 55lb | 45730579 |
Northwest Growers Select French | 20lb | 25100 |
Northwest Growers Select Cut Green Beans | 20lb | 57110000184 |
Northwest Growers Select 1/2″ Cut Green Beans | 30lb | 08110 |
Northwest Growers Select Cut Green Beans | 30lb | 5711000186 |
Northwest Growers Select Cut Green Beans | 50lb | 4635800020 |
Northwest Growers Select Organic Cut Green | 30lb | 5711000187 |
Northwest Growers Select Organic Cut Green | 50lb | 4635800042 |
Northwest Growers Select Cut Italian Beans | 20lb | 4635800031 |
Northwest Growers Select Diced Carrots | 20lb | 20100 |
Northwest Growers Select Organic Diced Carrots | 50lb | 4635800019 |
Northwest Grower’s Select Diced Onions | 45lb | 19190 |
Northwest Growers Select Fine Whole Green | 4lb | 10150 |
Northwest Growers Select Green Peas | 20lb | 5711000152 |
Northwest Growers Select Green Peas | 55lb | 45721084 |
Northwest Growers Select Organic Peas | 30lb | 5711000155 |
Northwest Growers Select Mixed Vegetables | 20lb | 4635800044 |
Northwest Growers Select Pearl Onions | 20lb | 22100 |
Northwest Growers Select Peas & Carrots | 20lb | 14100 |
Northwest Growers Select Petite Whole Green | 15lb | 5711000194 |
Northwest Growers Select Shoestring Carrots | 20lb | 4635800027 |
Northwest Growers Select White Supersweet Cut | 30lb | 5711000182 |
Northwest Growers Select 5.5″ Supersweet Cob | 48 count | 528628 |
Organic by Nature | ||
Organic by Nature Organic Baby Peas | 16oz | 4635800069 |
Organic by Nature Organic Butternut Squash | 16oz | 4635800075 |
Organic by Nature Organic California Broccoli | 16oz | 4635800060 |
Organic by Nature Organic Chopped Kale | 40lb | R02208 |
Organic by Nature Organic Diced Carrots | 50lb | 20191 |
Organic by Nature Organic Diced Leeks | 40lb | R01810 |
Organic by Nature Organic Diced Onions | 45lb | AK#200064 |
Organic by Nature Organic Diced Onions | 45lb | 202819 |
Organic by Nature Organic Edamame | 8oz | 4635800073 |
Organic by Nature Organic Green Peas | 50lb | R01790 |
Organic by Nature Organic Multi-Colored | 16oz | 4635800076 |
Organic by Nature Organic Petite Whole Green | 16oz | 4635800071 |
Organic by Nature Organic Petite Whole Green | 5lb | 4635800059 |
Organic by Nature Organic Root Medley | 16oz | 4635800074 |
Organic by Nature Organic Sweet Baby Peas | 5lb | 4635800063 |
Organic by Nature Organic Super Sweet White | 16oz | 4635800070 |
Organic by Nature Organic Super Sweet Whole | 50lb | R03881 |
Organic by Nature Organic Vegetable Medley | 5lb | 4635800066 |
Organic by Nature Organic Vegetable medley With | 5lb | 4635800065 |
Organic by Nature Org White Corn | 4lb | 4635800070 |
Organic by Nature Organic White Corn | 5lb | 4635800064 |
Organic by Nature Organic Whole Kernel Sweet | 4lb | 4635800058 |
Canadian-Costco Wholesale | ||
Organic by Nature | ||
Organic by Nature Organic Butternut Squash | 2kg | 4635800067 |
Organic by Nature Organic Sweet Peas | 2.5kg | 4635800061 |
Organic by Nature Organic Vegetable Medley | 2.5kg | 4635800062 |
Best Before: Apr 26 16 thru Apr 26 18 S3904
Best By will include the following dates 04.26.16 thru 04.26.18 | |||
JFDA Kernel Corns | 1kg | 991438945338 | Use By: 20160924 |
JFDA Mix Vegetables | 1kg | 991438945321 | Use By: 20160924 |
McCain | |||
McCain Green Peas | 1kg | 991438945116 | Use By: 20160924 |
McCain Cut Corn | 500g | 99143894523 | Use By: 20160924 |
McCain Kernel Corn | 1kg | 991438945130 | Use By: 20160924 |
McCain Mixed Vegetables | 500g | 99143894522 | Use By: 20160924 |
McCain Mixed Vegetables | 1kg | 991438945123 | Use By: 20160924 |
McCain Super Sweet Kernel Corn | 1kg | 991438945017 | Use By: 20160924 |
McCain (NZ) | |||
McCain Peas (NZ) | 500g | 310174006014 | 10012017 04:56 |
McCain Peas (NZ) | 1kg | 310174006021 | 10012017 04:56 |
McCain YGC | |||
McCain YGC Green Peas | 1kg | 991438945376 | Use By: 20160924 |
McCain YGC Mixed Vegetables | 1kg | 991438945383 | Use By: 20160924 |
McCain YGC Super Sweet Kernel Corn | 1kg | 991438945369 | Use By: 20160924 |
Mity Fresh | |||
Mity Fresh Sweet Corn | 1kg | 7437331054 | P: 01/2015 |
Mountain Mist | |||
Mountain Mist Cut Corn | 1kg | 4635800056 | Use By: 20150512 |
Mountain Mist Green Peas | 1kg | 4635800057 | Use By: 20150512 |
Mountain Mist Super Sweet Corn | 1kg | 4635800056 | Use By: 20150512 |
Mountain Mist Mixed Vegetables | 1kg | 4635800055 | Use By: 20150512 |
Overhill Farms | |||
Overhill Farms 1-1/2″ Cut Green Beans | 30lb | 0931140 | 203017001168 08:29 |
Veggie Maria | |||
Veggie Maria Onion Cut | 500g | 543567006321 | 2016/01 20:55 B |
Veggie Maria Super Sweet Corn | 500g | 543567006314 | 2016/01 20:55 B |
Life Foods | |||
Life Foods Green Peas | 1kg | 903392007694 | Use By: 20160924 |
Life Foods Kernel Corn | 1kg | 903392007670 | Use By: 20160924 |
Life Foods Kernel Super Sweet Corn | 1kg | 903392001579 | Use By: 20160924 |
Life Foods Mixed Vegetables | 1kg | 903392007687 | Use By: 20160924 |
Private Labels with CRF Identified through an unique number on bag | |||||
Instructions to consumer> look for the code with one of the letters at the end A, B, C,D | |||||
Best By will include the following dates 04.26.16 thru 04.26.18 | |||||
All Codes are found on the Back of the Bag in the following location down the back seam, lower right hand corner | |||||
Brand | Container | UPC | What to look for | Code Examples | |
Emerald Farms | |||||
Emerald Farms Cut Corn | 40oz | 3765403671 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
Emerald Farms Green Peas | 40oz | 3765403672 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
Emerald Farms Peas and Carrots | 40oz | 3765403673 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
Emerald Farms Mixed Vegetable | 40oz | 3765403670 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
Endico | |||||
Endico Cut Corn | 40oz | 0145916420 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
Endico Green Peas | 40oz | 0145916720 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
Endico | |||||
Endico Mixed Vegetables | 40oz | 0145916610 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
Endico Peas and Carrots | 40oz | 0145916730 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
Great Value | |||||
Great Value Cut Green Beans | 12oz | 7874205333 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best If Used By: | |
Great Value Mixed Vegetables | 12oz | 7874205334 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best If Used By: 042318 | |
Great Value Peas & Carrots | 12oz | 7874205335 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best If Used By: 042318 | |
Great Value Sweet Peas | 12oz | 7874205336 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best If Used By: 042318 | |
Great Value Sweet Peas | 26oz | 7874210912 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best If Used By: 042318 | |
Great Value Mixed Vegetables | 26oz | 7874210907 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best If Used By: 042318 | |
Great Value Whole Kernel Golden Corn | 12oz | 7874205338 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best If Used By: 042318 | |
Great Value Whole Kernel Golden Corn | 26oz | 7874210910 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best If Used By: 042318 | |
Great Value | |||||
Great Value Steamable Cut Green Beans | 12oz | 7874208363 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best If Used By: 042318 | |
Great Value Steamable Mixed Vegetables | 12oz | 7874208026 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best If Used By: 042318 | |
Great Value Steamable Sweet Corn | 12oz | 7874208024 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best If Used By: 042318 | |
Great Value Steamable Sweet Peas | 12oz | 7874208369 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best If Used By: 042318 | |
James Farm | |||||
James Farm Cut Corn | 32oz | 6069501044 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
James Farm Cut Green Beans | 32oz | 6069501004 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
James Farm Garden Peas | 32oz | 6069501000 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
James Farm Mixed Vegetables | 32oz | 6069501542 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
James Farm Peas & Carrots | 40oz | 6069501001 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
James Farm Whole Green Beans | 32oz | 6069501003 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
Kirkland Signature | |||||
Kirkland Signature Organic Stir-Fry | 4lb | 9661910114 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best By: 040918 | |
Price First | |||||
Price First Corn | 16oz | 7874211030 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best If Used By: 042318 | |
Price First Sweet Green Peas | 16oz | 7874211027 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best If Used By: 042318 | |
Quirch | |||||
Quirch Baby Lima Beans | 14oz | 6507260150 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
Quirch Baby Lima Beans | 32oz | 6507260149 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
Quirch Corn | 14oz | 6507260136 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
Quirch Corn | 32oz | 6507260135 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
Quirch Mixed Vegetables | 14oz | 6507260130 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
Quirch Mixed Vegetables | 32oz | 6507260129 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
Quirch Peas & Carrots | 16oz | 6507260152 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
Quirch Peas & Carrots | 32oz | 6507260151 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
Quirch Sweet Peas | 14oz | 6507260140 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
Quirch Sweet Peas | 32oz | 6507260139 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
Season’s Choice | |||||
Season’s Choice Garden Fresh Sweet Peas | 16oz | 4149816429 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best Before: 032518 A | |
Season’s Choice Seamed Mixed Vegetables | 12oz | 4149820284 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best Before: 032518 B | |
Season’s Choice Super Sweet Whole Kernel Corn | 16oz | 4149816428 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best Before: 032518 A | |
Simply Nature | |||||
Simply Nature Organic Mixed Vegetables | 16oz | 4149829655 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
Simply Nature Organic Sweet Corn | 16oz | 4149829656 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Sell By: 012515 | |
True Goodness | |||||
True Goodness Organic Broccoli Florets | 10oz | 1373343097 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best By: 042318 | |
True Goodness Organic Chopped Spinach | 10oz | 1373343101 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best By: 042318 | |
True Goodness Organic Cut Green Beans | 10oz | 1373343095 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best By: 042318 | |
True Goodness Organic Mixed Vegetables | 10oz | 1373343096 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best By: 042318 | |
True Goodness Organic Peas | 10oz | 1373343100 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best By: 042318 | |
True Goodness Organic Peas & Shoestring Carrots | 10oz | 1373343104 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best By: 042318 | |
True Goodness Organic Petite Green Peas | 10oz | 1373343099 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best By: 042318 | |
True Goodness Organic White Sweet Corn | 10oz | 1373343098 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best By: 042318 | |
Wild Oats | |||||
Wild Oats Organic Broccoli Florets | 10oz | 4873700377 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best By: 040918 | |
Wild Oats Organic Broccoli & Cauliflower | 10oz | 4873700711 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best By: 040918 | |
Wild Oats Organic Chopped Kale | 10oz | 4873700379 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best By: 040918 | |
Wild Oats Organic Chopped Spinach | 10oz | 4873700380 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best By: 040918 | |
Wild Oats Organic Cut Green Beans | 12oz | 4873700713 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best By: 040918 | |
Wild Oats Organic Diced Butternut Squash | 10oz | 4873700710 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best By: 040918 | |
Wild Oats Organic Diced Sweet Potatoes | 10oz | 4873700709 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best By: 040918 | |
Wild Oats Organic Mixed Vegetables | 12oz | 4873700715 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best By: 040918 | |
Wild Oats Organic Sweet Corn | 12oz | 4873700714 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best By: 040918 | |
Wild Oats Organic Sweet Peas | 12oz | 4873700712 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best By: 040918 | |
Export | |||||
Woolworths Homebrand Frozen Peas | 1kg | 300633968458 | Look for one of these letters (A,B,C,D, E) | Best By: 042318 | |
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