On July 15, 2016, CDC declared the multi-state outbreak investigation of listeriosis linked to frozen vegetables to be over. The outbreak, identified in March, had been under investigation by FDA, CDC, state, and local officials. Following is the final update report.
The FDA facilitated the recall of at least 456 products related to this outbreak. CRF Frozen Foods recalled 358 products and at least 98 other products were recalled by firms that received CRF- recalled products.
The CDC reports that nine people infected with the outbreak strains of Listeria monocytogenes were reported from four states (California, Connecticut, Maryland, and Washington) from September 2013 to May 2016. Ill people ranged in age from 56 to 91, with a median age of 76. Epidemiology and laboratory evidence indicated that frozen vegetables produced by CRF Frozen Foods of Pasco, Washington, and sold under various brand names are one likely source of illnesses in this outbreak. As discussed further below, CRF Frozen Foods initiated a recall of certain products.
As part of a routine product sampling program, the Ohio Department of Agriculture collected packages of frozen vegetable products from a retail location and isolated Listeria monocytogenes from True Goodness by Meijer brand frozen organic white sweet cut corn and frozen organic petite green peas. Both products were produced by CRF Frozen Foods.
Whole genome sequencing showed that the Listeria monocytogenes isolated from the frozen corn was closely related genetically to eight bacterial isolates from ill people, and the Listeria monocytogenes isolate from the frozen peas was closely related genetically to one isolate from another ill person. This close genetic relationship provides additional evidence that the people in this outbreak became ill from eating frozen vegetables produced by CRF Frozen Foods.
Based on the positive findings by the Ohio Department of Agriculture, on April 22, 2016, CRF Frozen Foods ceased production at its Pasco, Wash., facility and recalled 11 frozen vegetable products because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. On May 2, 2016, following a conversation between FDA, CDC, and the firm, CRF Frozen Foods expanded its recall to include all of its frozen organic and traditional fruit and vegetable products manufactured or processed in its Pasco facility since May 1, 2014. Approximately 358 consumer products sold under 42 separate brands were recalled. Recalled products were sold nationwide and in the following Canadian Provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of recalled product samples collected from ill people in California and Idaho revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes matching the outbreak strain.
Additionally, March 2016 environmental samples collected by FDA from Oregon Potato Company, located in Pasco, Wash., were found to be closely related genetically to eight of the isolates of ill people associated with this outbreak. Based on this information, Oregon Potato Company voluntarily recalled wholesale onion products, which led to subsequent downstream customer recalls, one of which publicly disclosed Oregon Potato Company as its product source. FDA worked to identify other parts of the relevant supply chain and facilitated recalls where necessary. However, FDA is prohibited by law from releasing publicly certain information about supply chains, which may constitute confidential commercial information.
The FDA facilitated the recall of at least 456 products related to this outbreak. CRF Frozen Foods recalled 358 products and at least 98 other products were recalled by firms that received CRF-recalled products. For a complete list of recalls linked to CRF Frozen Foods, see http://www.foodsafety.gov/recalls/recent/listeria.html.
What Specific Products Were Recalled?
On April 22, 2016, CRF Frozen Foods recalled 11 frozen vegetable products because they may be contaminated with Listeria. On May 2, 2016, CRF Frozen Foods expanded its recall to include all frozen organic and traditional fruit and vegetable products manufactured or processed in CRF Frozen Foods’ Pasco facility since May 1, 2014. These products have “best by” dates of April 26, 2016, through April 26, 2018, and may have been purchased in all fifty U.S. states and the following Canadian Provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
The FDA facilitated the recall of at least 456 products related to this outbreak. CRF Frozen Foods recalled 358 products and at least 98 other products were recalled by firms that received CRF-recalled products. For a complete list of recalls linked to CRF Frozen Foods, see http://www.foodsafety.gov/recalls/recent/listeria.html.
Additionally, FDA has established a Major Product Recalls page for CRF Frozen Foods related recalls.