FDA Adds Another Frozen Fruit to Recall List: Listeria Contamination

On June 22, 2023, the Scenic Fruit Company issued a voluntary recall on frozen pineapple and fruit blends, including frozen pineapple, due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. This recall adds to the FDA’s growing list of frozen fruit recalls that previously contained strawberries.

According to the recall notice, the company is recalling two main products: Cadia Organic Pineapple and Trader Joe’s Organic Tropical Fruit Blend.

The Cadia brand was distributed in California, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Maryland, Oregon, and Texas. The announcement identifies two lots of Cadia fruit impacted by the recall, B2243316, and C0305067. The recall on the Trader Joe’s fruit blend was distributed nationwide and included the following lot numbers: B22098297, C20171035, C20450103, and C20511124.

Listeria monocytogenes are bacteria that cause listeriosis, otherwise known as listeria. The CDC estimates that 1,600 people in the United States are infected with listeria each year, with an annual average of 260 deaths. Severe illness and death are a greater risk for people who are pregnant, newborns, adults over 65, and immunocompromised individuals.

Earlier this year, a CDC investigation linked a series of listeria outbreaks to packaged salads, leading to additional recalls. Last year, the organization also identified a listeria outbreak linked to deli meat and cheese.

There are two versions of listeria: invasive and intestinal illness. Invasive illness refers to bacterial spread beyond the intestines and usually begins within two weeks of infection. In pregnant individuals, invasive listeria is characterized by fever and flu-like symptoms. Patients who are not pregnant may also have headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures.

In severe cases, invasive listeria can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, and fatal infections in the newborn.

Intestinal listeria begins within 24 hours of infection and is contained in the intestines. Typically, intestinal listeria causes diarrhea and vomiting; however, if the condition is severe, it transitions into an invasive illness.

While intestinal listeria usually resolves independently without antibiotics, patients with an invasive illness or at a higher risk of invasive disease are typically treated with antibiotics.

In addition to being a part of multiple frozen fruit recalls, the recall is also an addition to Scenic Fruit Company’s roster of recalls. In March 2023, the company issued another recall on frozen strawberries and fruit blends containing frozen strawberries due to a potential hepatitis A outbreak.

While the organization denies any illnesses linked to the more recent recall, they recommend that consumers and sellers avoid the products.