Parkers Farm Updates Recall To Include Private Label Foods

New Recall Notices on FDA and Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture Websites

Parkers Farm voluntarily recalled a substantial number of products late Friday afternoon, after the Minnesota Department of Agriculture detected Listeria monocytogenes in several of the Company's foods.

As I reported on the weekend, this recall included both Parkers, Parkers Farm and Kroger brand items. Parkers Farm has now updated its initial recall to encompass all of the following items:

• 16-ounce peanut butter in square plastic containers (tub with snap-on lid), including creamy, crunchy, honey creamy and honey crunchy varieties with sell-by dates between 11/14/2010 and 12/31/2010;
• 34-ounce peanut butter in round plastic containers (tub with snap-on lid), including creamy and crunchy varieties with sell-by dates between 8/11/2010 and 9/30/2010;
• 7-ounce bagel spreads in white plastic containers (tub with snap-on lid), including garden veggie, wild berry, strawberry, apple cinnamon, and honey walnut varieties with sell-by dates between 5/13/2010 and 6/30/2010;
• 14-ounce dips and spreads in square plastic containers (tub with snap-on lid), including jalapeno nacho, pimento and salsa con queso varieties with sell-by dates between 8/11/2010 and 9/30/2010;
• 8-ounce, 12 ounce and 16 ounce cold pack cheese in round or square plastic containers (tub with snap-on lid), including sharp cheddar, bacon, onion, smoked cheddar, Swiss almond, horseradish, garlic, port wine and Swiss and cheddar varieties with sell-by dates between 11/14/2010 and 12/31/2010; and
• 16-ounce salsa in square plastic containers (tub with snap-on lid), including hot, mild, garlic, black bean and fire-roasted varieties, with sell-by dates between 3/14/2010 and 4/30/2010.
• 16-ounce Happy Farms cold pack cheese in round plastic containers (tub with snap-on lid), including sharp cheddar, port wine and Swiss almond varieties, with sell-by dates between 11/24/2010 and 12/10/2010;
• 8-ounce Kroger cold pack cheese in round plastic containers (tub with snap-on lid), including sharp cheddar, port wine, and swiss almond varieties with sell-by dates between 11/18/2010 and 12/15/2010;
• 8-ounce Central Markets cold pack cheese in round plastic containers (tub with snap-on lid), including sharp cheddar, port wine, swiss almond and horseradish varieties with sell-by dates of 12/9/2010;
• 14-ounce Central Markets salsa con queso in round plastic containers (tub with snap-on lid) with sell-by date of 8/16/2010;
• 16-ounce Central Markets salsa in round plastic containers (tub with snap-on lid), including sharp cheddar, port wine, Swiss almond, horseradish varieties, with sell-by dates of 3/17/2010 through 3/24/2010; and
• 8-ounce Dutch Farms cold pack cheese in round plastic containers (tub with snap-on lid), including sharp cheddar, port wine, Swiss almond, horseradish and Swiss and Cheddar varieties, with sell-by dates between 11/16/2010 through 11/18/2010.

According to FDA, both Minnesota and Wisconsin have confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in some finished product samples.

The recalled items were available nationwide – either under the Parkers Farm brand or one of the private label brands – in stores belonging to the following chains: Hy-Vee, Cub, Rainbow, Byerlys Lunds, Target, Whole Foods, Jewel, Dominicks, Marsh, Price Chopper, Shop Rite, Nash Finch, Sams Club, Costco and Safeway. Kroger, Price Chopper, ShopRite, and Walmart already have posted their own recall notices.

While food service distribution was not mentioned in the recall notices, consumers also should be aware that Parkers Farm supplies the food service industry.

Consumers who purchased the recalled products should return them to the store for a full refund. DO NOT take a chance with any of the items described above. Although no associated illnesses have been reported so far, Listeria monocytogenes can cause a deadly infection insusceptible individuals. And pregnant women who contract an infection with this pathogen are at risk of miscarriage or stillbirth.

Listeria monocytogenes has a long incubation period – as long as 70 days, in some cases. If you have consumed one of the recalled products within the last two months and you are feeling unwell, please consult a doctor.

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