FDA Recall Alert: Conventional Peaches, Plums, and Nectarines Sold in Retail Stores May Pose Listeria Risk

By FDA
Posted on 11/29/23 | News Source: FDA

Recalled conventional (non-organic) peaches, plums, and nectarines sold in retail stores from May 1, 2022 through November 15, 2022 and from May 1, 2023 through November 15, 2023. The recalled fruit was sold at retail stores nationwide in bags or as individual pieces of fruit with PLU stickers, under multiple brand names.

See the recall notice for product images.

Additionally, the recalled fruit was sold to other manufacturers who may have frozen and/or relabeled the recalled fruit for resale under another brand. The firm has directly notified their customers who received recalled product and this advisory will be updated as more information becomes available.

Recalled fruit is past expiration and no longer available for sale in retail stores but could have been frozen by consumers. Fresh whole peaches, plums, and nectarines currently available for sale at retail are not included in this recall.

Stores Affected

The recalled fruit was distributed nationwide and sold at retail stores in bags or as individual pieces of fruit (see descriptions above). FDA is aware of the following retailers who received recalled products:

Additional information on retail locations will be provided when it is available.

Symptoms of Listeriosis (Listeria Infection)

Symptoms usually start within 2 weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria, but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after. Mild symptoms may include a fever, muscle aches, nausea, tiredness, vomiting, and diarrhea. If the more severe form of listeriosis develops, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.

Status

Ongoing: Updates to this advisory will be provided as they become available.

Recommendation

Recommendations for At-Risk Groups


Current Update

November 20, 2023

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to peaches, plums, and nectarines (stone fruit).

Federal and state partners have continued to investigate the outbreak as new matching cases have been identified over the past several years. Samples from sick people were collected from August 22, 2018, to August 16, 2023. According to a case-case analysis conducted by CDC, people in this outbreak were 18 times more likely to eat peaches, plums, or nectarines. This suggests that peaches, plums, and nectarines, are a likely source of this outbreak.  On October 23, 2023, FDA collected samples of 2lb bagged peaches at The HMC Group Cold Storage, Inc (Kingsburg, CA) and on November 7, 2023, the samples were reported positive and a match to the outbreak strain by Whole Genome Sequencing.  

In response to this investigation, HMC Farms has voluntarily recalled peaches, plums, and nectarines sold in retail stores from May 1, 2022 through November 15, 2022 and from May 1, 2023 through November 15, 2023. The recalled fruit was sold at retail stores as individual pieces of fruit bearing PLU stickers or in consumer packaging; however, the recalled fruit is no longer available for sale and any previously purchased fruit should be past shelf life. If you previously purchased recalled fresh peaches, plums and nectarines and then froze them, you should throw them away if they are part of the recall or if you cannot tell if they are part of the recall.

Fresh whole peaches, plums, and nectarines currently available for sale at retail are not included in this recall.

FDA’s investigation is ongoing to determine the source of contamination and if additional products are linked to illness. FDA will update this advisory as information becomes available.

Recalled Product

In response to this investigation, HMC Group Marketing, Inc has voluntarily recalled peaches, plums, and nectarines sold in retail stores nationally from May 1, 2022 through November 15, 2022 and from May 1, 2023 through November 15, 2023. Additional information and product images can be found in the company recall announcement.


Who to Contact

Consumers who have symptoms should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.

To report a complaint or adverse event (illness or serious allergic reaction), you can