Made Fresh Salads Inc. of Bay Shore, NY, is recalling all Ready to Eat Deli Style Salads and cream cheese, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
The various salads were distributed in Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and New York City by direct delivery to retail stores and distributors. Products are distributed in 30-pound and 5-pound white plastic tubs with a Made Fresh Salads label or a Northside Label and half size aluminum pan.
Dozens of products are subject to this recall. For a complete list, click here. The salads include potato salad, cole slaw, black bean salad and several other varieties with expiration dates from Sept. 3 through Sept 18 printed on the bottom left of the label.
The products may have been repacked by retail locations in deli-style or other retail packaging. Retail packaging and coding will vary based on location of purchase.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recall was the result of environmental sampling by the FDA and the company, which revealed that some areas of the facility tested positive for Listeria Monocytogenes. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the products as FDA, and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.
About Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look, smell or taste spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any recalled products and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.
Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop.
Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses.
Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, other complications and death. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.
