Frozen vegetables test positive for listeria

NASHVILLE — The Consumer and Industry Services Division of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture is issuing a public advisory to warn consumers of Listeria monocytogenes discovered in two varieties of frozen vegetables sold in Tennessee.
 The contamination was discovered during routine sampling of food products sold at two different grocery stores in Harriman, Tenn. 

Lab results showed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in Cascadian Farm Organic Cut Green Beans. The 10 ounce package was distributed by Small Planet Foods, Inc. of Sedro-Woolley, Wash. and identified with the code 11APR2016. General Mills has issued a voluntary nationwide recall of that product, as well as green beans with the code of 10APR2016. You can read more about the recall here: General Mills voluntarily recalls a limited quantity of frozen Cascadian Farm Cut Green Beans.

Testing also confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in Wylwood- Super Sweet Whole Kernel Corn. The 16 ounce package was distributed by Save-A-Lot Foods of Earth City, Mo. and identified with the Best By date of June 2017 and code K51564. Officials with Save-A-Lot have requested all stores pull the unsold packages of corn from the shelves.

The Department of Agriculture has notified the Food and Drug Administration and the FDA will determine if further action will be taken.

Listeria monocytogenes is unlike many other germs because it can grow in a cold environment. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women and may be fatal for individuals with weakened immune systems. Cooking and pasteurization are two methods by which to eliminate the bacteria from food.

The Consumer and Industry Services division of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture sets high standards for food safety. Those standards are enforced through regular and thorough inspections and product testing.