Vegetable Recall Update As FDA Sets Highest Risk Level

A vegetable recall has been given the highest risk classification by the U.S Food and Drug Agency (FDA)

Ohio-based Wiers Farm has recalled some of its vegetables and bagged salad over fears they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Wiers Farm began the recall “out of an abundance of caution” following reported findings from the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDARD). It was later expanded to include additional Wiers Farm produce.

The FDA has now designated the products as Class I, which is issued when there is “reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”

The vegetables under the recall and the FDA classification they have been given is as follows:

• Wiers Farm – Whole Salad Cucumbers bagged in 2lb plastic bags, 10 bags per carton – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Whole Cucumbers bulk, 62 per carton – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Cubanelle packaged in 16oz plastic bag – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Green Beans packaged in varied weighted bags – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Serrano Peppers packaged in 4oz plastic bag – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Organic Bell Peppers packaged into 2 count trays – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Organic Cucumber packaged into 2 count trays – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Organic Yellow Squash packaged into 2 count trays – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Organic Zucchini Squash packaged into 2 count trays – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Jalapenos packaged into 8oz bags – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Anaheim Peppers packaged into 1lb cartons – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Cilantro packaged into 1lb cartons – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Habanero Peppers packaged into 1lb carton – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Green Bell Pepper packaged into 1lb carton – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Hungarian Wax Peppers packaged into 1lb carton – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Mixed Vegetable box packaged in cartons – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Mustard Greens packaged in cartons – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Pickling Cucumber packaged in 1lb cartons – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Plain Parsley packaged in 1lb cartons – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Tomatillos packaged in 1lb cartons – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Acron Squash packaged in 1lb cartons – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Butternut Squash packaged in 1lb cartons – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Green Cabbage packaged in 1lb cartons – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Red Cabbage packaged in 1lb cartons – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Eggplant packaged in 1lb cartons – Class I
• Wiers Farm – Spaghetti Squash packaged in 1lb cartons – Class I

The contaminated products were sold at Walmart in 13 states—including Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

They were also sold at Aldi stores in Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

In Tennessee, Rhode Island, North Carolina, Missouri, Maine, Indiana, Illinois and Delaware, the products could also be purchased at either Kroger or Save-a-lot.

At the time of the initial product recall by Wiers Farm, no illnesses or consumer complaints had been reported. Newsweek has emailed Wiers Farm for comment.

Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogenic bacterium that can lead to listeriosis disease. Nausea, muscle aches, fever and diarrhea are common symptoms for listeriosis. In those who are very young, elderly or immune compromised, listeriosis can result in death. Those experiencing symptoms should seek medical help immediately.