The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that more than 400 products made by Fresh Ideation Food Group in Baltimore, including sandwiches and snacks, were recalled following a listeria outbreak.
Breakfast sandwiches, salads, wraps, fruit cups and an ice cream dessert called parfaits were pulled from vending machines and retail stores on the US East Coast.
Fresh Ideation Food Group is a Baltimore-based company that manufactures individually packaged and bulk food products and distributes them to various states along the east coast of the country.
“During routine monitoring of our facilities, we determined that listeria may be present. Out of an abundance of caution, we have recalled all products that were manufactured at the time of this finding,” the company told NBC News via automated message.
Fresh Ideation Food Group products
According to the company, the withdrawn products have a renewal or sale date from January 31 to February 6.
During those dates they indicated that they distributed the sandwiches and other snacks in vending machines and retail stores in Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia.
On the FDA website they detail each of the more than 400 recalled products.
The FDA reported that the recall was initiated after the company’s environmental samples tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, however no people have been reported ill thus far.
“Consumers who have purchased the products are urged to contact the company, Fresh Ideation Food Group LLC, at 855-969-3338, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:000 p.m. EST,” adds the release.
According to the Mayo Clinic website, listeria is “a foodborne bacterial illness that is commonly contracted by eating improperly processed deli meats and unpasteurized dairy products.”
This disease rarely affects healthy adults and children, but it can be serious for pregnant women, infants, immunosuppressed patients, and adults over 65 years of age.
