FDA Recall — Firm Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 11, 2014 – PITTSBURGH – Giant Eagle has issued a recall of Giant Eagle Apple Pistachio Salad and Apple Pistachio Salad with Chicken because the salads may contain fresh cut Gala red apples currently recalled by Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. To date, Giant Eagle has received no reports of customer illnesses associated with this recall.
The affected Del Monte fresh cut Gala red apples were distributed to retailers in multiple states in the northeast U.S. and is being recalled because these apples have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
The recall is being implemented because samples of red apple slices produced by Del Monte and collected by the Division of Food Safety of the Ohio Department of Agriculture tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The FDA was notified on December 9. Del Monte previously distributed a press release regarding the recall of pre-cut Gala red apples and named Giant Eagle as one of the recipients of the affected product under the Giant Eagle label. The salad items may have been sold in Pennsylvania and Ohio Giant Eagle locations from November 29 through December 9 with sell-by dates of December 1 through December 11. Labels attached to the product packaging bear the names “Apple Pistachio Salad” and “Apple Pistachio Salad With Chicken”. Sell-by dates December 1 through December 11 can be found directly underneath the product names.
Upon notification from Del Monte, Giant Eagle immediately removed all potentially affected product from the prepared foods areas, and also implemented a register block to ensure that the product was not inadvertently purchased. Additionally, the company has made outreach to customers who had purchased the potentially affected product and have updated telephone contact information in the Giant Eagle Advantage Card loyalty program.
Customers who have purchased the affected product should dispose of it or return it to their local Giant Eagle store where they will receive a refund. Consumers may call Del Monte at 1-800-659-6500 (operating 24 hours a day).
Contact:
Consumer: 1-800-659-6500
