Contact: Mike Rose
619-302-3442
mr@nstpr.com
EDINBURG,
TEXAS – UPDATED: Dec. 28, 2010, including packaging details; states affected; and clarifying product only
packed on two dates (Nov. 30 and Dec. 6, 2010) is covered by this recall -
Following confirmation from regulators of a positive test for salmonella on
curly parsley in Quebec and cilantro in Detroit, J&D Produce Inc. is
initiating a precautionary, voluntary recall of these two items and other
potentially affected products packed only Nov. 30 and Dec. 6, 2010. There have
been no reported illnesses.
Salmonella is an organism that can
cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or
elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people
infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be
bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection
with salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and
producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected
aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
“It’s imperative to protect public
health, even if that means being overzealous in expanding the scope of the
products we’re calling back,” said James Bassetti, president of J&D Produce
Inc. “We will work closely with
regulators, health officials and our customers in bringing back the products.
To further ensure public health, additional produce commodities
were recalled due to the possibility of cross contamination from having been
run on the same packing lines as the curly parsley and cilantro. The
Products Being Recalled, PLU/UPC Number, and Areas
Where Distributed are listed below.
CURLY
PARSLEY, PLU # 4899, Ontario, Washington, Massachusetts, Quebec, Pennsylvania,
Michigan, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Missouri, Rhode Island, New York, Texas, Ohio,
Connecticut
CILANTRO,
PLU # 4889, Ontario, Massachusetts, Washington, Quebec, New York, Illinois, Texas,
Colorado, Michigan, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio
ARUGULA,
PLU #4884, Ontario, Rhode Island, Texas
BEETS,
PLU # 4539, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Ontario, Wisconsin, Quebec, Texas,
Illinois, Rhode Island
PRECAUTIONARY, VOLUNTARY RECALL
COLLARDS,
PLU # 4614, Ontario, Texas, Wisconsin, Quebec, Michigan, Ohio
CURLY
MUSTARD, PLU # 4616, Quebec, Texas
DIAKON,
does not contain PLU or UPC, Ontario, New York, Texas, Quebec
DILL,
PLU # 4891, Ontario, Massachusetts, Quebec, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois,
Michigan, Ohio, Texas, New Jersey, Wisconsin
GOLDEN
BEETS, PLU # 3273, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Texas
GREEN
KOHLRABI, PLU # 4628, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Quebec, Wisconsin
GREEN
SWISS CHARD, PLU # 4586, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Ontario, Pennsylvania,
Quebec, Rhode Island, Texas
KALE,
PLU # 4627, Ontario, Quebec, Texas, Wisconsin, Montreal, Michigan, Illinois,
Rhode Island, New York, Ohio, Toronto
LEEK,
PLU # 4629 Texas
METHILEAF, UPC # 6 64781 10500 4, Ontario, Texas
MINT,
PLU # 4896, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan
PARSLEY,
PLU # 4901, Ontario, Washington, Quebec, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois,
Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, New Jersey, Connecticut
RAINBOW
CHARD, UPC # 6 64781 40610 1, Illinois,
Connecticut
RED
SWISS CHARD, PLU # 4587, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Ontario, Quebec,
Rhode Island, Texas
TEXAS
MUSTARD, PLU # 4618, Oklahoma, Texas
TURNIPS
WITH TOPS, PLU # 4810, Texas, Michigan
TURNIP
TOPS, PLU # 4619, Texas
All commodities are packed in red,
white, and blue waxed cartons under the Little Bear brand. The individual bunches are banded, except for
Diakon, using a rubber band or a twist tie identified by a flag tag that shows
a little bear with a cowboy hat, a red handkerchief and a Texas flag. See Exhibit 1 showing
Little Bear flag tags and bands. All
products were distributed through retail stores and wholesale terminal markets.
“We’re all seeing increased inspections by regulators and
health officials here in the U.S. and Canada, and that’s positive because it
helps further ensure public health,” Bassetti said. “We’ve
already implemented immediate measures to make sure we minimize the likelihood
of this re-occurring.” For example, upon
learning of the test in Quebec, Bassetti ordered the shut down of all
production lines; re-sanitized the production lines; increased manual
inspections; and implemented additional product rinse steps. Bassetti said he has also brought in outside
consultants to review and advise the company on additional microbiological
sampling and its food safety protocols.
“We have a good track
record, but we’ll bring our expectations and standards to even higher levels,” he said.
The commodities have “pack dates” of either Nov. 30,
2010, or December 6, 2010 and from experience these types of greens are sold,
purchased by the consumer and/or eaten within about fourteen days from “pack
dates”; however, if any consumer has any of these items in his or her
possession the commodity(s) should be destroyed or returned
to the store where purchased for a full refund.
For additional information, contact J&D
Produce by email at: qa@littlebearproduce.com ; or by
fax: 956-381-9732; or by phone at
800-486-6054 or 956-380-0353.