Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and 7-Eleven brands have been caught in the recent rash of salmonella- and listeria-linked recalls over a potentially contaminated corn ingredient.
Two kinds of 7-Eleven salads sold only in Texas were recalled on Oct. 16, due to problems with the supplier of the corn found in the salads.
“Prime Deli Corporation received notification that the corn used in the production of their Southwest Style Salad with Bacon was being recalled by their corn supplier due to Listeria monocytogenes and salmonella concerns,” said the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service in an alert.
The corn supplier wasn’t named, but other food products with the corn in it will likely be recalled as well, similar to when whey powder was linked to salmonella in July and led to a number of recalls, including Hungry-Man microwave dinners and Pepperidge Farms goldfish crackers.
The same supplier, which has remained unnamed, is believed to be behind a number of recalls announced on Oct. 17.
On Wednesday, GH Foods recalled ready-to-eat salads sold under the Whole Foods brand, citing concern over a contaminated corn ingredient, and Mary’s Harvest Fresh Foods recalled ready-to-eat chicken products with a potentially contaminated corn ingredient sold in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington through Trader Jose, one of Trader Joe’s house brands, in addition to its own brand.
Trader Joe’s announced another recall for two house brand salads in addition to a Trader Joe’s salad.
GHSE, based in Florida, issued a recall the same night as ready-to-eat salads sold in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, saying a corn ingredient possibly contaminated with salmonella and listeria was in the salads; soon after Taylor Farms Northwest, based in Washington, recalled its Port Carnitas Bowl, citing concerns that its tomatillos could be contaminated with salmonella and listeria.
Most of the alerts from the Food Safety and Inspection Service noted that companies received notice on Oct. 15 from the unnamed corn supplier regarding listeria and salmonella concerns. Taylor Farms was also notified on Oct. 15 regarding the tomatillos, which could be from the same supplier.
Listeria and Salmonella
Listeria and salmonella can both cause a range of symptoms including death.
Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, a common bacterial foodborne illness, noted the Department of Agriculture. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after consuming a contaminated product.
Most people recover without treatment; most of those hospitalized suffer from severe diarrhea.
Listeria can cause the infection listeriosis, which primarily affects people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headaches, and diarrhea.
Listeria can cause pregnant women, one of the groups affected by the infection, to have stillbirths, miscarriages, and other issues. It’s typically treated with antibiotics.
