Following recalls by major retailers, fresh fruit giant Wawona is recalling certain bagged peaches, including some organic peaches, because of links to an ongoing Salmonella outbreak.
As of yesterday there were 68 confirmed cases of Salmonella infections in people spread across nine states. For those with information available, 14 have been admitted to hospitals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Prima Wawona of Fresno, CA, reported to the Food and Drug Administration that only bagged peaches — not those sold in bulk or loose fruit — are implicated in the recall. Aldi and Target already recalled Wawona peaches linked to the outbreak.
According to the recall notice, Wawona distributed and sold the implicated peaches from June 1 through Aug. 19 in supermarkets. People can use the following labeling information to determine whether they have the recalled peaches in their homes:
- Wawona Peaches – 033383322001
- Wawona Organic Peaches – 849315000400
- Prima Peaches – 766342325903
- Organic Marketside Peaches – 849315000400
- Kroger Peaches – 011110181749
- Wegmans Peaches – 077890490488
The product codes can be found at the bottom of each package.
The bagged peaches were distributed through retailers in the following states: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Anyone who has the recalled product in their possession should dispose of it immediately or return it to the place of purchase for a refund. Consumers with questions may contact Prima Wawona’s toll-free number at 877-722-7554 or visit its website at wawonapacking.com.
About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.
Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled peaches and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.
Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.
(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety Website, click here.)