Peppers recall sparks warning in five states

A major discount supermarket chain is warning consumers after issuing a recall for green peppers, jalapeños and green beans in five states.

Aldi announced in a notice shared online Monday that it had recalled the “Freshire Farms” label products due to concerns about potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a dangerous bacteria that sometimes results in fatal infections.

The recall applies to 8-ounce bags of jalapeños with the UPC number 4099100087680, 16-ounce three-pack bags of green peppers with the UPC number 4099100087598 and 16-ounce bags of green beans with the UPC number 4099100087826.

While Aldi operates more than 2,000 stores in dozens of states, the recall applies only to products sold in the following five states: Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

The company said that the recall had been initiated “in cooperation with Wiers Farm, Inc. and R.S. Hanline Co Inc. and out of an abundance of caution.”

“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 recall notice states.

“ALDI sincerely regrets the inconvenience and concern caused as a result of this recall,” it continues.

Newsweek reached out for comment to Aldi via email on Tuesday night.

Customers with questions or concerns about the recall were asked to contact R.S. Hanline Co Inc. over the phone at 1-888-484-4834 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

While it was not clear if there had been any reported illnesses associated with the recall, those experiencing illness after consuming the products should seek medical attention.

Listeriosis, an infection of Listeria monocytogenes, may result in severe symptoms even in those who are otherwise healthy. About 260 of an estimated 1,600 annual cases are fatal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Many infections are limited to the digestive system, with symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting developing within 24 hours of consuming contaminated food. However, a more invasive form of the illness develops in some within two weeks.

Symptoms of invasive listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and seizures. About one in 20 nonpregnant people with the invasive form die from the illness.

For those who are pregnant, symptoms are generally mild or nonexistent, but invasive illness “usually leads to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn,” according to the CDC.

Concerns about possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination is a relatively common reason to initiate a food recall. Other potentially dangerous pathogens like salmonella or norovirus, as well as concerns about undeclared allergens, also trigger recalls somewhat frequently.