Recall Alert: Pita Pal Hummus Recalled by Trader Joe’s & Other Retailers

by Erica LoopJuly 17, 2019

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently updated a recall for some Pita Pal Foods hummus products. The products, which were sold at Trader Joe’s and other retail stores, were recalled due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Pita Pal Foods, LP did not immediately return Red Tricycle’s request for comment.

As of now the recall includes 87 types of hummus products, according to CNN. If you have the recalled hummus in your fridge, read on for important information.

Pita Pal Foods, LP Recalls Various Hummus and Dips Due to Possible Health Risk https://t.co/4HdtWtOC4R pic.twitter.com/TAT6l4mYMh

— U.S. FDA Recalls (@FDArecalls) July 16, 2019

Recalled Product Description: Pita Pal Hummus

The recall includes select hummus products made between May 30 and Jun. 25, 2019. The initial recall included products sold under the Buccee’s, Fresh Thyme, Harris Teeter and other brand names. Trader Joe’s recently announced its Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Germantown, Tennessee and Texas stores also carry the affected products.

For a full list of affected brands, flavors, sizes and UPC codes, visit the FDA’s website here.

Why the Hummus Was Recalled

The recall was initiated following detection of the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes at a manufacturing facility. The bacteria was not found in the finished products.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause diarrhea, stomach pain, high fever or headaches. It can also cause a serious infection in young children, elderly adults or anyone with a weakened immune system and miscarriage or stillbirth in pregnant women.

How To Tell If Your Hummus Was Recalled

Visit the FDA’s website here for a full list of recalled products. Check the brand name, product name, size and UPC code to see if your hummus is part of the recall. Trader Joe’s shoppers can check their products on the company’s website here.

What Consumers Can Do

Don’t eat the recalled hummus. Return the product to the place of purchase for a refund. Call 832-803-9295 or email Pita Pal at products@pitapal.com for more information.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Ajale via Pixabay

Recall Alert: Fisher-Price Ultra-Lite Day & Night Play Yard Inclined Sleeper Accessory

Recall Alert: Listeria Risk Found in Packaged Vegetables Sold at Trader Joe’s, Food Lion & Other Retailers

Recall Alert: Listeria Risk Found in Packaged Vegetables Sold at Trader Joe’s, Food Lion & Other Retailers

by Erica LoopJuly 6, 2019

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced a recall for Growers Express packaged fresh butternut squash, zucchini and butternut squash-based veggie bowls sold under the Green Giant Fresh, Growers Express, Signature Farms and Trader Joe’s brand names out of a Listeria monocytogenes contamination concern. Representatives from Growers Express did not immediately return Red Tricycle’s request for comment.

While there are no reported illnesses as of now, if you think you may have purchased the affected products, read on for more information on the recall.

Growers Express Issues Voluntary Recall of Multiple Fresh Vegetable Products Due to Potential Contamination of Listeria monocytogenes https://t.co/woi2TE6fUQ pic.twitter.com/ox9HSMFF79

— U.S. FDA Recalls (@FDArecalls) July 1, 2019

Product Description: Growers Express Packaged Vegetables

The current recall includes the packaged varieties of butternut squash, cauliflower, zucchini and butternut squashed based veggie bowls sold under the Green Giant Fresh, Growers Express, Signature Farms and Trader Joe’s names. The products were produced at a facility in Biddeford, Maine and were distributed to multiple states and retailers. Visit the FDA’s website for a complete list of products, states and retailers.

Why the Vegetables Were Recalled

The products were recalled out of a possible bacterial contamination concern. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause headaches, GI symptoms and stiffness. It can also lead to miscarriage or stillbirth in pregnant women.

Tom Byrne, President of Growers Express, said in a press release, “The safety of our consumers is our first priority.” Bryne also added, “We self-reported the need for this recall to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and stopped production immediately after being notified of a single positive sample by the Massachusetts Department of Health. We are deep sanitizing the entire facility and our line equipment, as well as conducting continued testing on top of our usual battery of sanitation and quality and safety tests before resuming production.”

How to Tell If Your Veggies Were Recalled

According to the FDA’s website, the majority of recalled veggies have a “Best If Used By” date of Jun. 26 through Jun. 29, 2019. Visit the FDA’s website here for a full list of products and UPC numbers.

What Parents Can Do

If you have the affected products, don’t eat or serve them. Throw the products away and visit the Growers Express website here for more information.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Courtesy of Growers Express

Recall Alert: Older MacBook Pro’s Battery May Overheat

Recall Alert: Fisher-Price Ultra-Lite Day & Night Play Yard Inclined Sleeper Accessory

Is Your Ice Cream Safe to Eat? Here’s What the FDA Has to Say

by Erica LoopApril 29, 2019

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration wants to make sure your ice cream is safe to eat. If you thought it already was, read on for information on an important announcement the FDA recently made about its findings from inspections and environmental sampling for Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella at 89 ice cream production facilities.

So what prompted the FDA to take a serious look at ice cream and potential illnesses related to the products? After 16 ice cream recalls between 2013 and 2015, the government agency decided to start sampling the sweet stuff. The resulting report, which includes data from facilities in 32 states taken between Sep. 12, 2016 to Aug. 30, 2017, provides plenty of insight into ice cream safety in America.

photo: Calebe Miranda via Pexels

On a positive note, the FDA didn’t find “objectionable conditions or practices” in almost half of the facilities they visited. But (on the negative side) they did detect Listeria monocytogenes in 19 of the facilities. Before you rush to toss your ice cream in the trash, only one of the facilities had the Listeria monocytogenes on a food-contact surface. A separate facility also tested positive for Salmonella.

Following the FDA’s investigation, there were three voluntary ice cream recalls made between 2017 and 2018—two for Working Cow Homemade, Inc. ice cream and one for Nelson’s Creamery LLC.

If you’re wondering whether your ice cream is safe to eat, the recalls resulting from the report are all in the past. But the FDA does stress the importance of safe practices and preventative controls for commercial ice cream manufacturers.

—Erica Loop

Recall Alert: Chewy Chips Ahoy Cookies May Have an Unexpected Ingredient

Recall Alert: Cut Melon Sold at Target, Trader Joe’s, Walmart & Other Retailers Poses Salmonella Risk

Avocados Recalled in 6 States for Listeria Concerns

by Erica LoopMarch 25, 2019

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced an avocado recall in six states. The voluntary recall includes Henry Avocado Corporation California-grown avocados due to a potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Henry Avocado did not immediately respond to Red Tricycle’s request for comment.

The recent recall includes avocados distributed in Arizona, California, Florida, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Wisconsin. If you have concerns about the avocados in your home, read on for the recall details.

photos: Courtesy of U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Recall Product Description: Henry Avocados

The recall includes California-grown conventional and organic avocados, packed in Henry Avocado’s California packing facility. Conventional avocados, sold at retailers in the six affected states, bear a sticker that reads “Bravocado.” The recalled organic avocados bear a sticker that reads “organic” and “California.”

Why the Avocados Were Recalled

The bacteria Listeria monocytogenes was found on environmental samples of avocados during routine government inspection. As of now there are no illnesses due to the affected avocados.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause headaches, stiffness, diarrhea, nausea and abdominal pain, with more serious symptoms in the elderly, young children or anyone with a compromised immune system. The bacteria is also known to cause miscarriage and stillbirth in pregnant women.

How to Tell If Your Avocado Is Part of the Recall

Only Henry Avocado avocados grown in California that bear the “Bravocado” or “organic” and “California” stickers are part of this recall. Henry Avocado avocados imported from Mexico are not part of this recall.

What Parents Can Do

If you have an affected avocado do not eat it. Throw the avocado away or bring it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Direct recall questions to Henry Avocado at 760-745-6632, ext. 132.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Matthew Henry via Burst

Recall Alert: This Infant Cough Syrup Could Have Harmful Bacteria

Recall Alert: Chef Boyardee Microwavable Bowls Have Undeclared Allergens

Recall Alert: Green Bean & Butternut Squash Recall Affects 9 Southern States

by Erica LoopFebruary 27, 2019

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued a voluntary green bean and squash recall. Following notification from a raw material supplier that routine tests for food contact surfaces tested positive for the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, Southern Specialties Inc. announced the recall for Marketside brand bagged green beans and butternut squash products.

A spokesperson for Southern Specialties Inc. provided the following statement to Red Tricycle via email:

“The health and wellness of those who consume our products is paramount. Anyone who lives in the nine Southern states listed on our website should check to see if they have the recalled bags. No illnesses have been linked to this recall, but we are still asking that people not consume and instead dispose of or return the recalled products to the place of purchase. We regret that disposing of or returning the recalled product may be inconvenient, but food safety is our priority.”

If you bought one of the affected products, or think you may have, read on for more information.

photo: Courtesy of Southern Specialties, Inc.

Recall Description: Marketside Bagged Green Beans and Butternut Squash

The current recall includes Marketside brand bagged green beans in 32-ounce and 12-ounce packages as well as bagged butternut squash in 16-ounce packages. The full list of recalled UPC codes, use by dates and lot codes is available from the FDA website here.

Why the Bagged Veggies Were Recalled

Following routine testing, a raw materials supplier (used by Southern Specialties Inc.) notified the company of the presence of Listeria monocytogenes on food preparation surfaces. Listeria monocytogenes is a potentially harmful bacteria that can cause diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, fever, stiffness and headaches. The bacteria can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.

How to Tell If Your Marketside Product Is Part of the Recall
Visit the FDA’s website for the full product and code listings to verify whether you have the affected products or not. While most of the recalled veggies were retrieved prior to retail distribution, some may have reached stores in the following southern states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

What Parents Can Do

If you have one of the recalled Marketside products don’t eat it. Throw out the veggies or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions or concerns can reach Southern Specialties Inc. at 1-954-876-2453 or by visiting the company’s website.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Karolina Grabowska via Foodiesfeed

Ford Just Recalled Over 1 Million Vehicles. Is Yours One of Them?

FYI: There Are New Chicken Nugget & Chicken Product Recalls

Recall Alert: Peaches Sold at Costco, Walmart, Aldi & More Could Have Listeria

by Karly WoodJanuary 29, 2019

On Jan. 24, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Adminitration issued a notice that fresh peaches, plums and nectarines have been recalled from Walmart, Costco, Aldi and several other grocers. The cartons of fruit have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. Representatives from Jac. Vandenburg Inc. of Yonkers, New York (the fruit supplier) did not immediately return Red Tricycle’s request for comment.

The recall includes 1,727 cartons of peaches, 1,207 cartons of nectarines and 365 cartons of plums in 18 states. Here’s what you need to know.

Photo: Valerie Hinojosa via Flickr.

Recall Description: Fresh Peaches, Nectarines & Plums

The current recall affects fresh peaches, nectarines and plums sold at Walmart, Costco, Aldi, Fairway Market, Hannaford and Market Basket stores in Alabama, California, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia and Virginia.

For a full list of which items were sold at specific grocers, visit the FDA’s website here.

Why the Fruit Was Recalled

The recall was the result of a routine sampling program by the packing house, which found certain products contained the bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes. Currently, there have been no reports of illnesses in connection with this recall.

How To Tell If Your Peaches, Nectarines or Plums are Recalled

The peaches and nectarines sold as a bulk retail produce item with PLU sticker #4044, 3035, 4378, showing the country of origin of Chile.

The peaches, nectarines and plums sold at ALDI are packaged in a 2-pound bag with the brand Rio Duero, EAN #7804650090281, 7804650090298, 7804650090304.

The nectarines sold at Costco are packaged in a 4-pound plastic clamshell with the brand Rio Duero, EAN#7804650090212.

Visit the FDA’s website for a full list of stores, states and product information.

What Parents Can Do

If you have have purchased fresh peaches, fresh nectarines and fresh plums included in the recall you can return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Jac. Vandenburg Inc. at compliance@jacvandenberg.com with any questions.

––Karly Wood

General Mills Recalls Gold Medal Flour Nationwide for Salmonella Risk

Why Are There So Many More Food Recalls? You’re Not Imagining Things

The FDA Issues New Warning about Avocados

by Erica LoopJanuary 13, 2019

The FDA would like to remind you to please wash your avocados before cutting them. Well actually, the FDA wants you to wash all fruit—but a two-year sampling surveillance program may have found that the green goodness of avocados might come with something that you definitely don’t want in your kitchen: food-borne illnesses.

Between 2014 and 2016, the FDA collected and tested whole fresh avocados, testing the skins and flesh for Salmonella and Listeria. Of the 1,615 samples, only 0.74 percent tested positive for Salmonella on the skin. While that’s not a crazy-high number, any presence of a bacteria on the skin means that cutting into the fruit can spread the microorganisms into the flesh—and ultimately, into your system.

Photo: Matthew Henry via Burst

When it comes to Listeria and avocados, the FDA testing found that more than 17 percent of the fruit tested did have Listeria on the skin—but only 0.24 percent had the pathogen inside. While Listeria doesn’t typically cause illness in healthy adults, it can be especially dangerous for pregnant women, the elderly and anyone with a compromised immune system.

So what does this mean for all of you avocado enthusiasts out there? Quite simply: wash your fruit! The easiest way to avoid contaminating the inside of your avocado with anything that’s on the outside of the peel is to clean and thoroughly dry it before cutting.

—Erica Loop

Science Says Chicken Soup Really Is the Best Medicine

That Ground Turkey Recall Got Even Bigger

Panera Bread Issues a Huge Recall at All of Its 2,000 Us Locations

by Erica LoopJanuary 29, 2018

On Sunday, Panera Bread issued a preemptive voluntary recalled of its cream cheese products over listeria concerns, specifically its 2-ounce and 8-ounce. cream cheese products. This follows a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes in samples of one variety of their 2-ounce cream cheese. If you have concerns about the cream cheese in your fridge, read on to get the need to know facts on the recall.

photo credit: Panera Bread

To start with, this is a preemptive recall. That means no one has gotten sick (yet). When samples from a single production day showed the presence of this bacteria, Panera took action immediately to stop the possible contamination risk by issuing a recall.

photo credit: Panera Bread

If you have any type of Panera cream cheese with an expiration date of 4/2/18 or before that was bought in one of the Panera Bread U.S. bakery stores, do not eat it. This includes the 2-ounce and 8-ounce varieties of plain, reduced-fat plain, reduced-fat chive and onion, reduced-fat honey walnut and reduced-fat wild blueberry cream cheese. If you’re still not sure whether you have the affected cream cheese or not, stop and don’t eat it.

Panera’s President and CEO, Blaine Hurst, said in a press release, “The safety of out guests and associated is paramount, therefore we are recalling all cream cheese products sold in the US with an active shelf life. We have likewise ceased all manufacturing in the associated cream cheese facility.”

Consumers who may have the cream cheese (or are completely, absolutely sure that they’re cream cheese is part of the recall) should contact Panera Bread Customer Service at 1-855-6-PANERA (Monday-Sunday from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. CST) or visit Panera.custhelp.com. Again, do NOT eat the cream cheese. Panera is offering refunds for the affected products.

Do preemptive recalls such as this make you feel safer about what you feed your family? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

—Erica Loop

Skip Hop Issues Major Recall: Here’s What to Do If You’ve Been Affected

Which Stores Just Recalled Apples for Listeria? Check Your Fruit Baskets

RECALL: Eggo Waffles Recalled Amid Listeria Fears

by Red TricycleJuly 20, 2016

The Kellogg Company has voluntarily recalled around 10,000 cases of theirKellogg’s Eggo Nutri-Grain Whole Wheat Waffles amid fears of listeria. Although there have been no reports of hospitalization or illnesses from customers, the company believes the particular frozen breakfast food is contaminated with listeria monocytogenes, which can at times cause fatal infections in young children or the elderly.

According to a news release from Kellogg, “The recall is a result of routine tests that the company conducts which identified the potential for contamination. As soon as the company learned of a potential concern, it moved quickly to identify any foods that might be impacted and resolve the issue.”

The recalled waffles are available in 10-count packs with the “Best if used by” dates of Nov. 21, 2017 and Nov. 22, 2017, which can be found on the side of the package. You can also look for the UPC code (38000 40370) on the label.

RECALL ALERT! Frozen Vegetables Recall, Including Target Brand and Many Others

by Red TricycleMay 21, 2016

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced a voluntary recall of some mixed vegetables and frozen peas distributed nationwide. The National Frozen Foods Corp. of Seattle is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of Not-Ready-To Eat frozen green peas and mixed vegetables due to potential to be contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

Brands including Bountiful Harvest, First Street, Great Value, Live Smart and Market Pantry, which were distributed in retail stores nationwide between September 2, 2015 and June 2, 2016, are affected. To see the complete list of recalled items, click here or visit http://www.fda.gov/

ML Interest Tag: listeria

Recall Alert: Pita Pal Hummus Recalled by Trader Joe’s & Other Retailers

Recalled Product Description: Pita Pal Hummus

Why the Hummus Was Recalled

How To Tell If Your Hummus Was Recalled

What Consumers Can Do

Related reads

Recall Alert: Listeria Risk Found in Packaged Vegetables Sold at Trader Joe’s, Food Lion & Other Retailers

Product Description: Growers Express Packaged Vegetables

Why the Vegetables Were Recalled

How to Tell If Your Veggies Were Recalled

What Parents Can Do

Related reads

Is Your Ice Cream Safe to Eat? Here’s What the FDA Has to Say

Related reads

Avocados Recalled in 6 States for Listeria Concerns

Recall Product Description: Henry Avocados

Why the Avocados Were Recalled

How to Tell If Your Avocado Is Part of the Recall

What Parents Can Do

Related reads

Recall Alert: Green Bean & Butternut Squash Recall Affects 9 Southern States

Recall Description: Marketside Bagged Green Beans and Butternut Squash

Why the Bagged Veggies Were Recalled

What Parents Can Do

Related reads

The FDA Issues New Warning about Avocados

Related reads

Panera Bread Issues a Huge Recall at All of Its 2,000 Us Locations

Related reads

RECALL: Eggo Waffles Recalled Amid Listeria Fears

Related reads

RECALL ALERT! Frozen Vegetables Recall, Including Target Brand and Many Others

Related reads