Kane Health Department: Red Onions, Bag Salads Recalled for Possible Listeria

The Kane County Health Department sent a press release Monday to keep residents up to date on possible contaminations of red onions and bag salads distributed in the area.

Gills Onions, LLC of Oxnard, CA over the weekend initiated a voluntary recall of 2,360 pounds of diced red onions with lot code 51RDA1A2119 and use-by-dates May 14, 15 and 17, 2012 because it may be contaminated by Listeria monocytogenes. The product is beyond its use-by-date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall, and no other Gills Onions product is affected by this recall. Anyone who has the recalled product in their possession should discard it.

River Ranch Fresh Foods, LLC of Salinas, CA, also announced over the weekend that it is voluntarily recalling retail and foodservice bagged salads because they have the potential of being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Retail salad products under this recall were distributed nationwide under various sizes and packaged under the brand names of River Ranch, Farm Stand, Hy-Vee, Marketside, Shurfresh, and The Farmer’s Market. Foodservice salad products under this recall were distributed nationwide, including Illinois, under various sizes and packaged under the brand names of River Ranch, Cross Valley, Fresh n Easy, Promark, and Sysco. 

The recalled retail and foodservice salad bags have either “Best By” code dates between 12MAY2012 and 22MAY2012 or Julian dates between 116 and 125. The code date is typically located in the upper right hand corner of the bags. 

There have been NO reported illnesses associated with this recall. Consumers who have purchased this product should not consume it and are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions can contact River Ranch at their 24-hour customer service center at 1-800-762-7708.

The recalled diced red onions were distributed directly from Gills Onions to retailers in Canada and retailers and foodservice distributors in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Idaho, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, Arkansas, Ohio, Tennessee, New Jersey, Georgia, and Florida. 

The recalled product was sold at retail and packaged in a 7-ounce clear plastic clamshell, labeled Gills Onions with the May 17, 2012, use-by-date and the lot code 51RDA1A2119 stamped on the UPC label. The UPC number in Canada is 643550 00045 0 and the UPC number in the United States is 643550 00041 2.

However, since this number can also be on other products, you can refer to the lot code in order to identify the recalled product. Product sold to foodservice customers was packaged in 5-pound clear plastic bags, identified as Gills Onions Diced Red Onions, and stamped with an expiration date of May 14 or 15, 2012. The lot code 51RDA1A2119 is also stamped on both the bag and box.

Listeria monocytogenes 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 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. 

This voluntary recall was initiated as a result of a routine and random test directed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Consumers with questions may contact Gills Onions at 1-800-348-2255. Please visit the website at www.gillsonions.com for updates.

SOURCE: Kane County Health Department