Copyright Newsweek
Moonlight Companies, which is based in Reedley, California, is voluntarily recalling certain California-grown yellow and white peaches due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause serious illness, especially among those who are vulnerable. Newsweek has emailed Moonlight Companies for comment. Why It Matters Listeria can pose serious health risks, particularly for pregnant women, children, elderly individuals, and those with weakened immune systems. It can cause fever, nausea, diarrhea, and in severe cases, miscarriage or fatal infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year in the United States, 1,250 people are infected with Listeria, and 172 people die from the infection. What To Know The recall announced by the company as well as the FDA applies to peaches sold nationwide between September 16 and October 29. The potentially contaminated peaches include: Moonlight Yellow, Moonlight White, Moonlight White (“Peppermint Peach”), and Kroger Yellow Peaches. The peaches were either sold individually or in multipacks. Affected individually sold peaches will have either a 4401 or 4044 PLU sticker on them. Affected multipacks will have the following UPCs: Moonlight Yellow Peaches: 8 10248 03165 6, 8 98429 00209 1, or 8 98429 00220 6 Moonlight White Peaches: 8 10248 03163 2, 8 98429 00209 1, 8 10248 03087 1, or 8 10248 03186 1 Moonlight White Peaches (“Peppermint Peach”): 8 98429 00266 4, 8 10248 03163 2, 8 10248 03087 1, or 8 10248 03186 1 Kroger Yellow Peaches: 0 11110 18174 9 The recall excludes any product labeled “Washington” or “Organic.” Listeria monocytogenes was identified in the packing facility environment, according to the company statement. No illnesses connected to the recalled peaches have been reported at the time of writing this article. What People Are Saying In the announcement, the FDA said: “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.” The CDC establishes that: “Listeria infection is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States.” Haley F. Oliver, a professor of food science at Purdue University, told Newsweek previously: "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." What Happens Next The FDA recommends staying aware of recalls by checking its website for updates, and further recall actions or expanded advisories may follow if evidence of contamination or illness is confirmed.
