Recalled Fruit Sold in RI Stores

Peaches, plums, nectarines and pluots sold at Stop and Shop, Sam's Club, Whole Foods, BJ's, Save-A-Lot and Trader Joes have been recalled for possible listeria contamination.

The fruit, grown by California's Wawona Packing Co., are being removed from store shelves after the company said some of its products may have been contaminated.

The voluntary recall affects certain lots of whole white and yellow peaches, nectarines, plums and pluots packed between June 1 and July 12. Retailers have been notified and there have been no illnesses reported, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

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 recall was initiated based on internal company testing. The company shut down the implicated packing lines, retrofitted equipment, sanitized the facility and retested. Subsequent daily test results have been negative.

"We are aware of no illnesses related to the consumption of these products" said Brent Smittcamp, President of Wawona Packing Co. " By taking the precautionary step of recalling product, we will minimize even the slightest risk to public health, and that is our priority."

A complete list of the recalled product IDs is available at the FDA's Web site.

Photos of the recalled products are here: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm405945.htm