Bags of Frozen Pineapple Have Been Recalled Due to Potential Listeria Contamination
Updated June 23 2023, 3:21 p.m. ET
It's not unusual for fresh and frozen produce to occasionally face a recall out of safety concerns. Lately, however, more and more frozen fruits have been recalled for outbreaks of dangerous diseases such as hepatitis A and Listeria.
On June 21, 2023, frozen pineapple joined the list of fruits in a recall by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), citing the "potential for these products to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes."
Keep reading for everything you need to know about the frozen pinapple recall, including which brands and products have been recalled and what to do if you have recalled items in your freezer.
Recalled pineapple could put consumers at risk of Listeria.
On June 21, 2023, SunOpta Inc's subsidiary, Sunrise Growers Inc., issued a voluntary recall of frozen fruit products linked to pineapple from a third-party supplier that may have been contaminated with Listeria.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Listeria is the third leading cause of death from food born illness. It's most likely to deeply affect pregnant people, newborns, and adults aged 65 or over.
Listeria can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant people, the CDC says. Healthy individuals may feel short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Symptoms of illness usually begin within 24 hours of eating contaminated food and typically last 1-3 days.
Be sure to check the FDA website for specific lot codes associated with the outbreak. Products affected include:
- Great Value Mixed Fruit
- Great Value Dark Sweet Cherries
- Great Value Mango Chunks
- 365 Organic Tropical Fruit Medley
- 365 Organic Pineapple Chunks
- 365 Pineapple Chunks
- 365 Organic Whole Strawberries
- 365 Organic Slice Strawberries and Bananas
- 365 Organic Blackberries
- Trader Joe’s Organic Tropical Fruit Blend
Additional products affected by this outbreak include:
- Good & Gather Organic Cherries and Berries Fruit Blend
- Good & Gather Dark Sweet Whole Pitted Cherries
- Good & Gather Mango Strawberry Blend
- Good & Gather Mixed Fruit Blend
- Good & Gather Mango Chunks
- Good & Gather Blueberries
- Good & Gather Triple Berry Blend
- Season’s Choice Tropical Blend
- Best Choice Pitted Red Tart Cherries Unsweetened
Stores that contained the potentially contaminated frozen fruit mixes include:
- Walmart
- Whole Foods
- Trader Joe's
- Target
- Aldi
- AWG (Associated Wholesale Grocers)
What should you do if you eat recalled fruit?
As a result of the recall, customers are encouraged to check their freezers, remove them, or avoid eating potentially affected fruit. Once the potentially affected fruit is removed, put it in a sealed plastic back in a closed trash can. Then, wash out the freezer with hot water, soap, and water, and then promptly wash your hands.
However, if you eat a recalled fruit and have no symptoms, the CDC says you do not need tests or treatment.
If you do develop symptoms of listeriosis, seek medical care immediately. Healthcare providers will be able to provide prescription antibiotics or other treatments to take care of the issue.
