A recall of vegetable products due to possible listeria contamination has been issued the highest risk warning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Endico Potatoes Inc, based in New York, issued a voluntary recall for two vegetable products on September 3 due to the potential contamination. The FDA later issued a Class I risk classification on September 18.
Newsweek contacted Endico Potatoes Inc. for comment by email outside of regular working hours.
Why It Matters
A Class I risk classification represents “a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death,” according to the FDA.
The FDA warned that listeria can cause “serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.”
It added: “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.”
What To Know
The products affected by the recall are the following:
Peas and carrots – lot number: 110625 – production date: 6/11/25 – use-by date: 6/10/27
Mixed vegetables – lot number: 170625 – production date: 6/17/25 – use-by date: 6/16/27
A total of 335 cases of each product are affected by the recall. They were distributed to New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, District of Columbia and Florida between 7/18/25 and 8/5/25.
As of September 3, no illnesses had been reported in connection with the consumption of the affected products.
The recall was initiated after testing by the state of Pennsylvania at a distributor revealed the presence of listeria in the finished products.
What People Are Saying
The FDA said in its recall notice: “The company has ceased distribution of the product as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.”
Mary O’Riordan, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Michigan Medical School, previously told Newsweek: “Listeria has an unusual capacity to grow at refrigerated temperatures. Although the bacterium can contaminate many types of food, cheeses or deli meats that are kept in cold storage for long periods in stores or at home are a place where listeria can keep growing.
“Early symptoms of listeria infection look similar to other common foodborne infections, including fever, diarrhea and vomiting, so it’s often not diagnosed right away. Unfortunately, sometimes listeria can spread into the brain and cause more serious illness, like meningitis. In those cases, if people experience headache, stiff neck or confusion, they should seek urgent medical attention.”
Haley F. Oliver, a professor of food science at Purdue University, previously told Newsweek: “Listeria monocytogenes is a common microorganism that can be found in the natural environment, for example, in soil. There are many factors that determine if someone gets listeriosis—a listeria infection. In most instances, an immunocompromised person—so young, old, pregnant or otherwise immunocompromised—must eat contaminated food.
“The number of bacteria resulting in infection and the amount of time before illness varies considerably. Symptoms vary among people but can include fever, flu-like symptoms, headache, stiff neck, confusion and loss of balance.”
The FDA says on its website: “Pregnant women and their unborn or newborn baby, adults over the age of 65, and those with weakened immune systems, are all considered to be high-risk groups that are susceptible to the serious and adverse effects of listeriosis.”
What Happens Next
The recall is listed as ongoing, according to the FDA.
People who purchased the affected items should not consume them and are urged to return them to their place of purchase for a full refund.