Green Giant, Trader Joe Had To Pull Back Listeria Contaminated Vegetables

The Green Giant and Trader Joe’s brands have their packaged fresh vegetables being recalled due to the possible contamination with the bacteria that could lead to Listeria, which is a disease that causes severe and occasionally fatal infections. The products recalled include butternut squash-based veggie bowl, cauliflower, and packaged butternut squash varieties. The FDA has found the vegetables packed from the Growers Express production facility, Biddeford, to contain the contaminant. The foreign material contaminated products were found to be sold under various brands such as Signature Farms, Green Giant, and Trader Joe’s.

The Green Giant’s frozen food or canned products do not seem to be impacted by the sudden recall. The FDA had warned the consumers to discard the products or contact the toll-free number for any details like refund option or any other questions. Growers Express has been ordered to stop its production after testing positive by the Massachusetts Department of Health. Till date, no contamination has been reported and the entire facility is being sanitized before resuming production. The Listeria monocytogenes are known to weaken the immune system and cause miscarriages, stillbirths or symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and high fever.

The best use by date of June 26 – June 29, 2019, products recalled include:

1. Trader Joe’s

• Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Spirals (10.5 oz.)
• Trader Joe’s Zucchini Spirals (10.5 oz.)

2. Bozzutos

• Green Giant Fresh, Cauliflower Sweet Potato Crumbles (1 lb.)
• Green Giant Fresh, Cauliflower Crumbles “Fried Rice” Blend (1 lb.)

3. C&S

• Green Giant Fresh, Cauliflower Crumbles “Fried Rice” Blend (1 lb.)
• Green Giant Fresh, Butternut Diced (12 oz.)
• Green Giant Fresh, Butternut Cubed (2 lb.)

4. Big Y Foods

• Green Giant Fresh, Cauliflower Sweet Potato Crumbles (1 lb.)
• Green Giant Fresh, Cauliflower Crumbles “Fried Rice” Blend (1 lb.)
• Green Giant Fresh, Butternut Diced (12 oz.)

5. Food Lion

• Green Giant Fresh, Cauliflower Crumbles “Fried Rice” Blend (1 lb.)

6. Stop & Shop

• Green Giant Fresh, Zucchini Noodles (10.5 ounces)

7. Native Maine

• Growers Express, Butternut Peeled (10 lb.)

8. Procacci

• Green Giant Fresh, Cauliflower Sweet Potato Crumbles (1 lb.)

9. Ruby Robinson (PFG)

• Growers Express, Butternut Peeled (10 lb.)

10. Four Seasons

• Green Giant Fresh, Ramen Bowl (7.4 oz.)

11. Shaws

• Signature Farms, Cauliflower Crumbles (1 lb.)
• Green Giant Fresh, Cauliflower Sweet Potato Crumbles (1 lb.)
• Green Giant Fresh, Ramen Bowl (7.4 oz.)
• Green Giant Fresh, Butternut Diced (12 oz.)

Similarly, Signature Farms had its brand Cauliflower Crumbles pulled out of the market by the FDA. The reason for removing it out from the market is also due to the potential Listeria contamination threat. The people have been advised to check and also keep a track of the quality of the products through media or FDA websites in order to stay safe and healthy. The FDA has started taking its investigation in the pharmaceutical and food industry very seriously. Till date, many of the products belonging to the food industry have been found to be contaminated with foreign materials that can cause a threat to humans.