FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Boskovich Farms Fresh-Cut Recalls Red Bell Peppers in Vegetable Deli Trays

NEWS RELEASE



Contact:  Boskovich Farms
          (800) 445-7737

For Immediate Release

Oxnard, CA - Feb. 9, 2001 - Boskovich Farms Fresh-Cut Division is recalling Red Bell Peppers in vegetable deli trays sold through Southern California Costco Wholesale Warehouses. As part of our ongoing commitment to product safety, Boskovich Fresh-Cut regularly conducts voluntary tests of our products.

Routine analysis of a recent sample of our sliced Red Bell Peppers has indicated the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. 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 affected product is limited to a single lot of Red Bell Peppers. As soon as we received the results of the initial screening test on Thursday, February 8, 2001, we immediately undertook further tests to verify those results. We expect to have the result of the confirmatory test in approximately 48 hours.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem, however, we have taken the precautionary step of voluntarily recalling all products containing sliced Red Bell Peppers from the potentially affected lot. This precautionary recall pertains only to vegetable trays containing sliced Red Bell Peppers purchased from February 3-8 2001, from those Costco Warehouses.

Upon receipt of the initial laboratory analysis, we immediately informed Costco Warehouse of this matter. We have been working closely with Costco representatives to ensure that everyone who may have purchased the vegetable trays is promptly contacted. We believe that Costco has identified all purchasers of deli trays in question and we have worked with Costco to send letters to each of these members to make them aware of this issue and to offer a full refund.

Boskovich Fresh-Cut continuously strives to provide only the safest and highest quality products to consumers. Anyone with questions and comments may call (800) 445-7737.

FDA/Website Management Staff
Web page created by tg 2001-FEB-14.