A Class 1 recall has been announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for various products of guacamole and salsa, which means this recall belongs within the agency’s highest-risk classification.
Six different dips made by JFE Franchising Inc. based in Houston under the SnowFruit brand had been voluntarily recalled following concerns they might contain Listeria monocytogenes. These bacteria are responsible for causing listeriosis, an acute illness that features heavy tolls on susceptible populations such as infants, senior citizens, aged persons with low immunity levels, and women who are pregnant.
List of Recalled Products
A variety of guacamole and salsa products were impacted by the recall, all of which were put in clear plastic containers. The recall includes the following products:
- Guacamole & Pico de Gallo Combo, 16 oz
- Guacamole Chunky Medium, 14 oz
- Guacamole Chunky Mild, 14 oz
- Guacamole Blender Mild, 12 oz
- Salsa Medium, 16 oz
- Salsa Mild, 16 oz
These items were sent to different supermarkets across the nation; however, no specific lot numbers or stores affected have been provided yet. Customers who buy these items should look at the package labels and throw them away if they match what is mentioned in this list immediately.
Additional Products Under FDA’s Class 1 Recall
Besides the guacamole and salsa items, quite several other products by JFE Franchising Inc. have also received Class 1 risk notifications from the FDA, which concerns them. The wider recall includes:
- Pico de Gallo Classic Hot–14 oz
- Pico de Gallo Classic Medium, 14 Oz
- Pico de Gallo Classic Mild, 14 oz..
- Diced Pepper Tri-Blend, 8 oz.
- Diced Pepper with White Onion, 7 oz.
- Fajita Mix, Hot, 11 oz.
- Fajita Mix, mild, 11 oz.
- Diced Jalapeño, 7 oz.
- Chopped Cilantro With White Onion, 5 oz.
These products, just like your guacamole and salsa, are also prone to Listeria contamination, so you should stay away from them.
Health Risks Associated with Listeria
For this recall, the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes causes the aforementioned. If ingested, this infection can cause a very dangerous listeriosis disorder, particularly for young children, elder people, those with lowered immunity, and also pregnant women. Listeriosis in its severe form may lead to death as well as spontaneous abortion or stillbirth. On the other hand, mild infections may affect healthy persons, resulting in a high fever, stiff neck, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomforts, and even diarrhea.
Ongoing Food Safety Concerns
This is because these recalls activated the other recalls, which occurred in August when other foods were also taken back from the market on several occasions due to risks related to health. Health safety issues accounted for most of these reactions because of undeclared allergens, with others being associated with possible bacteriological tainting or lead exposure as observed by the FDA and USDA Food Safety Inspection Service.
Consumer Guidance
If you’ve bought any of the recalled goods, don’t eat them but rather return them to where you got them from for full repayment. JFE Franchising Inc. and the FDA are closely watching this matter and will give new information as it comes out.
If there are any queries or complaints about these products, consumers should call directly on JFE Franchising Inc. or the FDA hotline. When it comes to food safety, especially those products that fall into the FDA’s most dangerous class of foods, being up-to-date and being careful becomes paramount.
