CHICAGO – A listeria outbreak that led to a massive recall of frozen fruits and vegetables is being investigated by the U.S Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the FDA said Thursday.
Earlier this week, CRF Frozen Foods, a Washington company, issued a widespread recall of frozen fruits and vegetables processed at its plant in Pasco, since May 1, 2014. The recall included 358 products under 42 separate brands.
Eight people from three states — Washington, California and Maryland — became infected with strains of listeria, according to the FDA, and their illnesses were linked to consumption of contaminated food produced by CRF Frozen Foods. They ranged in age from 56 to 86.
Two of those people died. CRF Frozen Foods’ Pasco facility has since been shut down.
Separately, the FDA collected samples at the Oregon Potato Company, also in Pasco, in March and determined a genetic connection to the listeria found in seven of the infected people, the FDA said. The Oregon Potato Company subsequently issued a recall of its wholesale onion products, which led to other recalls from companies that use those products.
“This is a complex and ongoing investigation, and updates will be communicated as they become available,” the FDA said.
Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by consuming food contaminated with the microscopic organism Listeria monocytogenes, according to the CDC website. It primarily affects infants, pregnant women, elderly people and adults with weakened immune systems.
Consumers are advised to return recalled items for a refund or throw them away.
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