Mississippi is one of 28 states affected by a recent recall by grocery giant Kroger over the fear of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
The Food and Drug Administration announced on Saturday that Kroger has recalled basil pesto bowtie salad and smoked mozzarella penne salad that were sold in the Kroger family of stores in the Magnolia State and 27 of its peers. The recall was initiated by Fresh Creative Foods, a California-based refrigerated prepared foods supplier.
Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly individuals, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. No reports of illness or injury have been reported from the pasta products to date.
The pastas in question were sold at the delis and self-service cases at more than 1,800 Kroger family of stores locations under the following banners: Kroger, Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, King Soopers, Payless, Ralphs, and Smith’s. Kroger has removed these items from store shelves and alerted customers of the recall via its notification system.
Customers who have purchased the products are urged to either dispose of the possibly contaminated items immediately or return them to the store of purchase for a refund.
