Major grocery chains recalling fruit

If you have recently bought peaches, nectarines or plums, this may affect you.

California-based Wawona has issued a nationwide recall on many of its fruits due to a possible listeria monocytogenes contamination, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

Wawona is recalling certain lots of whole peaches (white and yellow), nectarines (white and yellow), plums and pluots that were packed between June 1 and July 12. Retail cartons may have the brand names Wawona, Sweet 2 Eat or Harvest Sweet, the company said.

Wawona supplies fruits to several, large warehouse-type retail outlets such as Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s and Trader Joe’s.

“We are aware of no illnesses related to the consumption of these products,” said Brent Smittcamp, President of Wawona Packing Co., in a news release. “By taking the precautionary step of recalling product, we will minimize even the slightest risk to public health, and that is our priority.”

Listeria is the third leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The bacteria can be killed by cooking and pasteurization, but on raw fruits and vegetables, processing plants are required to prevent contamination with special washes and cold storage.

Symptoms can include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. In severe cases, listeria can cause a serious and sometimes fatal infection called Listeriosis.

Listeriosis mostly affects newborns, older adults, people with weakened immune systems and pregnant women. In fact, pregnant women are about 10 times more likely than the general population to get Listeriosis, according to the CDC.

“Listeriosis during pregnancy can cause premature delivery, miscarriages and stillbirths,” says Dr. Robert Rosenberg, medical director of obstetrics and gynecology at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, Ill. “If you are feeling sick and have eaten any fruit listed in the recall, be sure to let your doctor know immediately.”

More information including lot codes, labels and pictures can be found on Wawona’s website, or by calling 888.232.9912.