Wiers Farm Inc. issued a voluntary cucumber recall across three Midwest states. The recall affects whole and bagged salad cucumbers with specific pack dates.
Routine sampling by MDARD discovered potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Listeria outbreaks in produce have increased by 35% over the past decade.
Recall Impacts Walmart Stores Regionally
The recalled cucumbers were distributed to Walmart stores in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Walmart operates over 3,500 Supercenters in the United States.
The CDC estimates that Listeria causes about 1,600 illnesses annually in the U.S. Approximately 260 deaths occur each year due to listeriosis.
FDA Publishes Notice on July 16
The FDA announced the recall on behalf of Wiers Farm Inc. The agency oversees about 78% of the U.S. food supply.
In 2022, the FDA issued 251 food recall notices. Listeria accounts for about 19% of deaths from known foodborne pathogens.
Listeriosis Poses Serious Health Risks
Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a potentially severe illness. Pregnant women and their unborn children face heightened susceptibility.
Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal issues. The hospitalization rate for listeriosis is about 94%.
Pregnancy Increases Listeriosis Risk Tenfold
Pregnant women are 10 times more likely to contract listeriosis. Many infected pregnant women remain asymptomatic.
Unborn babies can be infected without the mother’s knowledge. Listeriosis during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or newborn death in 22% of cases.
No Illnesses Reported from Recall
As of the recall notice, no consumer complaints or illnesses were reported. The incubation period for listeriosis can range from 3 to 70 days.
Only about 1,600 cases of listeriosis are reported annually in the U.S. The CDC estimates that Listeria causes 1 in 6 U.S. foodborne illness deaths.
Consumers Advised to Discard Products
Wiers Farm Inc. instructed consumers to dispose of the recalled cucumbers. The company noted the products were past their shelf life.
Fresh cucumbers typically last 1-2 weeks in refrigeration. About 20% of listeriosis outbreaks are linked to produce.
Company Commits to Food Safety
Wiers Farm Inc. emphasized their commitment to high health and safety standards. They implemented immediate measures to address the incident.
The company collaborates with the Ohio Department of Agriculture for resolution. The U.S. produce industry is valued at over $64 billion annually.
Second Cucumber Recall in 2023
This recall follows a similar incident from May 2023. Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. recalled cucumbers in 14 states.
That recall was due to potential salmonella contamination. Salmonella causes about 1.35 million infections in the U.S. annually.
Increasing Produce-Related Outbreaks Trend
Foodborne illness outbreaks linked to produce have increased in recent years. From 1998 to 2013, produce accounted for 46% of foodborne illnesses.
Improved detection methods partially explain this trend. The FDA implemented the Produce Safety Rule in 2016 to address this issue.
