CRF Frozen Foods recalls frozen fruits, vegetables for listeria risk

CRF Frozen Foods is expanding a voluntary recall initially issued April 22 after seven people were hospitalized.

"More than 350 products sold under 42 brands are included in the recall. The products were sold in all 50 states and Canada. Several major retailers' brands are part of the recall, including: Costco, Costco Canada, Walmart, Safeway and Trader Joe's," according to Food Safety News.

>> See a list of products affected here. 

The Pasco, Washington-based company is now recalling all of its frozen fruit and vegetable products.

CDC has informed CRF Frozen Foods that the government has identified seven people from three states who became ill and were hospitalized due to Listeria.

Some of these illnesses have been linked to consuming CRF-manufactured or processed products.Two of these individuals later died, but that Listeria was not the cause of death in either person, according to the CDC.

No one from Washington has died as a result of a link to the listeria contamination.

The initial recall involved 15 frozen vegetable products.

"We are performing this voluntary recall in cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) because these products have the potential to be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes," the May 2 announcement said. "The organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems."

The announcement said the affected products have best-by date or sell-by dates between April 26, 2016, and April 26, 2018. The recall includes 358 products under 42 brands.

Customers can return the products to the store from which they were purchased for a full refund or throw them away.

The company halted operations at its Pasco, facility after the initial recall for a thorough review.

Recalled products “include organic and non-organic broccoli, butternut squash, carrots, cauliflower, corn, edamame, green beans, Italian beans, kale, leeks, lima beans, onions, peas, pepper strips, potatoes, potato medley, root medley, spinach, sweet potatoes, various vegetable medleys, blends, and stir fry packages, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, peaches, raspberries, and strawberries.”

Specific products affected by the recall are listed by brand and UPC code on the CRF Frozen Foods website.

Cox Media Group