More than a dozen staple summer vegetables, including cucumbers, green bell peppers, and parsley, have been voluntarily recalled due to possible listeria contamination.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced this week that Ohio-based Wiers Farm Inc., has expanded its earlier recall to now include additional produce that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
In cooperation with the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), Wiers Farm Inc., said in the FDA recall that its investigation into these vegetables came after reports by the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDARD). This expansion is in response to that investigation. Products involved in this expanded recall were packed between July 5-12 (2024). Wiers Farm Inc. is committed to implementing all measures necessary to fully resolve this situation.
As of time of publication, the agency said there have been no illnesses or consumer complaints reported.
Walmart listed the produce recall on its website with a link that directs customers to the announcement from Wiers Farm and the FDA.
In tandem with the original recall, Aldi issued its own recall notice for customers on Monday, alerting shoppers in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia who may have purchased Freshire Farms jalapeños, green peppers and green beans.
"ALDI puts the safety and integrity of the products it sells first. If customers have products affected by this recall, they are advised to discard it immediately or return it to their local store for a full refund," the company stated. "ALDI sincerely regrets the inconvenience and concern caused as a result of this recall."
Bulk items sold individually or by the pound at various retailers in impacted states
Anaheim peppers
Cilantro – sold in bunches
Cubanelle peppers
Cucumber – whole
Green beans
Green Bell Pepper
Habanero peppers
Hungarian Wax peppers
Jalapeno peppers
Mixed Vegetable Box (shipped to Cleveland and Youngstown, Ohio Foodbanks only)
Mustard Greens – sold in bunches
Pickling Cucumber
Plain Parsley – sold in bunches
Poblano peppers
Serrano peppers
Tomatillos
Click here for additional distribution information from the FDA on the above produce products.
Walmart
Wiers Farm Bagged Poblano - UPC 073064202581 – 16 oz bag
Wiers Farm Bagged Cubanelle - UPC 073064201836 – 16 oz bag
Wiers Farm Bagged Green Beans – UPC 073064200846 – variable weight bag
Wiers Farm Bagged Salad Cucumber – UPC 073064459619 – 2 lb. bag
Wiers Farm Bagged Serrano – UPC 073064201829 – 4 oz bag
Wiers Farm Organic Bell Pepper – UPC 073064201416 – 2 count tray
Wiers Farm Organic Cucumber – UPC 073064201423 – 2 count tray
Wiers Farm Organic Yellow Squash – UPC 073064201447 – 2 count tray
Wiers Farm Organic Zucchini Squash – UPC 073064201430 – 2 count tray
Aldi
Freshire Farms Bagged Green Beans – 16 oz bag
Freshire Farms Bagged Jalapenos – 8 oz bag
According to the FDA, the affected produce was sold at select Walmart stores in 15 states: CT, DE, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, and WV.
Produce impacted by the same voluntary recall was also sold at Aldi stores in five of those same states: KY, NY, OH, PA and WV.
As with any recalled products, the company has urged customers not to eat and to discard any potentially affected produce.
Consumers with questions about this recall may contact Wiers Farm, Inc. directly by phone or email.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, listeria can cause severe illness "when the bacteria spread beyond the gut to other parts of the body" after a person consumes contaminated food. Those at higher risk include pregnant people, those aged 65 or older, or anyone who has a weakened immune system, the CDC says.
"If you are pregnant, it can cause pregnancy loss, premature birth, or a life-threatening infection in your newborn," the CDC states on its website. "Other people can be infected with Listeria, but they rarely become seriously ill."
According to the CDC, anyone infected with listeria may experience "mild food poisoning symptoms" such as diarrhea or fever, and many recover without antibiotic treatment.