Miami company recalls frozen vegetables because of Listeria

Barberi International Inc. based in Miami is recalling Sunmba brand frozen Ajiaco vegetable mix from stores across Florida because of positive test results for Listeria monocytogenes.

Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services received the positive lab results from a routine product testing program. No illnesses had been reported in connection with the frozen vegetables as of Wednesday, but it can take up to 70 days for symptoms of Listeria infection to develop after exposure.

Barberi International distributed the recalled Sunmba brand frozen vegetable mix to retailers in Florida from Dec. 24, 2016, through Jan. 22 this year.

Consumers can identify the recalled product by looking for the UPC number 85641400172 and any “use by” dates of Nov. 5, 2017, or earlier. Only Sunmba brand, 2-pound plastic bags with these codes are subject to the recall.

“Customers who purchased this product should discard it or return it to their local store for a full refund,” according to the recall notice posted on the Food and Drug Administration website.

Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled vegetables and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctors about the possible exposure.

Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria monocytogenes is a microscopic organism that can be particularly dangerous and sometimes fatal for young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.