The FDA’s weekly Enforcement Report for the week of December 30, 2015 was released this last week. This report includes food recalls that were not announced on the government’s recall page.
One recall that we noticed was for 144 cases of Winn Dixie Old Fashioned Potato Salad, made by Reser’s Fine Foods, for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The product was sold in 16 ounce (1 pound) packages and has a use by date of December 08 15 30. The UPC number on the product is 021140021755. There is no word on whether or not any illnesses have been reported in connection with the consumption of this product. Other Reser’s Fine Foods salads were recalled in 2013 because of this same problem.
If you purchased this product, do not eat it. Throw it away in a closed or sealed container. Then wash your hands carefully with soap and water. You must then clean out your refrigerator with a mild bleach solution to kill any remaining bacteria, since Listeria bacteria can grow at temperatures below 40°F.
If you ate any of this recalled product, you must monitor yourself for symptoms of listeriosis, the illness caused by this bacteria, for the next 70 days, because that is how long it can take for symptoms to appear. Those symptoms include flu-like fever, muscle aches, upset stomach, diarrhea, stiff neck, headache, loss of balance, and confusion. Pregnant women are especially at risk for serious complications from this infection, including stillbirth and miscarriage, even if they are only mildly ill. If you do experience these symptoms, see your doctor and tell him you ate this recalled product.
Why can’t I find anymore info on this anywhere?
The recall was in the FDA’s Weekly Enforcement Report, which usually doesn’t get much coverage. You can find the details of the recall at the FDA web site.