Going organic is one of the latest trends in health food; organic foods are supposed to be free of harmful pesticides and growth-enhancing drugs. However, growing foods without harsh chemicals can have unintended consequences. A recent recall by four organic food companies highlights this issue.
Amy’s Kitchen, Rising Moon Organics, Superior Foods, and Twin City Foods have recalled products because of listeria-contaminated spinach from an organic supplier. Some of the products sold by Twin City Foods were re-sold later under the Wegman’s brand name.
While FDA policy does not require the supplier to be named or to comment on whether it is investigating a particular issue, ABC News reports that Coastal Green LLC of Oxnard, California supplied “leafy greens” to all of the above-listed companies. Spokesman for the company, Paul Fanelli, said, “We’re in the middle of an investigation here as to what the root cause was of the listeria. Once we determine what that is, we’ll change our policies and our procedures accordingly.”
The dangers associated with listeria
Listeria is a bacterial contaminant. If ingested, it can cause listeriosis, a serious infection. The elderly, newborns, pregnant women, and those with a weakened immune system are at higher risk, but anyone can be infected if proper care isn’t taken to wash raw foods. Common symptoms of listeriosis can include:
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Convulsions
- Fever, fatigue, and headaches (in pregnant women)
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention:
“Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. A person in a higher-risk category (pregnant woman, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems) who experiences fever and other non-specific symptoms, such as fatigue and aches, within 2 months of eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the physician or health care provider about eating the contaminated food...Even with prompt treatment, some listeriosis cases result in death. This is particularly likely in older adults and in persons with other serious medical problems.”
For a full list of the recalled products, we encourage you to visit the manufacturer’s websites; Amy’s Kitchen, Rising Moon Organics, Superior Foods, and Twin City Foods. These products are commonly distributed throughout the United States. Any organic food product containing spinach should be checked against a database. Any organic spinach products purchased recently should be thrown out. If you have any of the symptoms listed above, please seek medical attention immediately.
Listeriosis is a dangerous and potentially deadly illness. If you or a family member have gotten ill because of your food, or if a doctor failed to recognize the symptoms of the condition in a timely manner, Crandall & Pera Law wants to hear your story. Please contact the firm to speak with a skilled liability lawyer at one of our multiple office locations throughout Ohio and Kentucky.