Listeria Outbreak Leads to Fruit Recall in IN, IL, & KY

If you're like me, you probably have a similar reaction when you see the recall of a product - you probably don't take it very seriously. I'll take a minute to see if it's a product I use or if it directly affects me. I'll also check to see why the product is being recalled. More times than not, the recall will include the words "may cause" or "may lead to," or it might be because one or two cases were reported. This particular fruit recall seems a little more serious and is worthy of a few minutes of your time.

What Has Been Recalled?

The fruit in question includes peaches, plums, and nectarines sold in retail stores from May 1, 2022, through November 15, 2022, and from May 1, 2023, through November 15, 2023. According to the FDA, these products were sold at several Walmart and Sam's Club locations in Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky, as well as ALDI stores in Illinois and Kentucky.

FDA.gov

Why is the Fruit Being Recalled?

The fruit is being recalled because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The FDA and CDC are investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria infections linked to peaches, plums, and nectarines.

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How Serious is Listeria?

Should you be scared of listeria? Look at some stats from this particular outbreak and decide for yourself. The outbreak linked to these peaches, plums, and nectarines has led to 11 illnesses, 10 hospitalizations, and one death.

Having said that, healthy individuals probably don't have much to worry about - listeria will most likely lead to short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Listeria can be much more dangerous for pregnant women, possibly leading to miscarriages or stillbirths. The infection can be deadly for young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.