Mary’s Harvest Fresh Foods, Inc, a Portland-based food production company, may have distributed poultry products contaminated with the bacteria strain Listeria monocytogenes.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service initiated an Oct. 25 public health alert, stating, “A recall was not requested because it is believed that all products are no longer in commerce and are past their ‘Best by’ dates.”
Mary’s broccoli supplier notified its clients of potentially contaminated broccoli on Oct. 19, according to the FSIS report. Before this notification, Mary’s used the broccoli in question in its chicken, kale and broccoli slaw salads and distributed the salads within Oregon and Washington. These salads listed use-by dates between Oct. 12 and 16.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates the consumption of contaminated products containing Listeria monocytogenes bacterium causes Listeriosis, an illness affecting about 1600 people each year.
Although Listeriosis is relatively rare, symptoms commonly manifest with fever and diarrhea. Pregnant women are more susceptible to symptoms ranging in severity from flu-like symptoms to and fetal fatality. Non-pregnant patients may experience symptoms such as headache, diarrhea, stiff or aching muscles, and disorientation.
The onset of Listeriosis can take one to four weeks and sometimes as long as 70 days after exposure.
Since the initial notice, no confirmed illnesses have been reported due to the consumption of Mary’s products. However, if anyone is displaying symptoms of Listeria contamination after consuming this product they should immediately contact their healthcare provider.
Mary’s website lists the following Oregon retailers, some of which are within walking distance of PSU campus:
- Bales Marketplace
- Fiesta Foods
- Food 4 Less
- Grocery Outlet
- Harvest Foods NW
- Market of Choice
- Mega Foods
- New Seasons Market
- Ray’s Food Place
- Rosauers Supermarket
- Sherm’s Markets
- Shop N Kart
- Zupan’s Markets
