Growers Express Recalls Multiple Fresh Vegetable Products Over Listeria

Just in time for your Fourth of July holiday party - it's time to check your freezers for some recalled veggies that were sold under the Trader Joe's, Green Giant Free, and Signature Farms brands.

According to the voluntary recall notice posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Growers Express, a California-based produce company issued the recall after one of their products tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

According to the notice, the recalled products came from a Growers Express production facility in Biddeford, Maine, and were distributed to dozens of states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Florida, and Illinois.

Recalled products include several packaged varieties of butternut squash, cauliflower, zucchini and a veggie bowl sold under three brands.

For a full list of recalled products, you can visit the FDA's website here.

“The safety of our consumers is our first priority,” said Tom Byrne, President of Growers Express. “We selfreported the need for this recall to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and stopped production immediately after being notified of a single positive sample by the Massachusetts Department of Health. We are deep sanitizing the entire facility and our line equipment, as well as conducting continued testing on top of our usual battery of sanitation and quality and safety tests before resuming production.”

Customers who purchased any of the recalled products are being urged to avoid consuming them and throw them away or return it to the place of purchase for a refund. Growers Express said consumers can call a toll-free number found on the packaging for any questions or to request a refund. You can also visit for the latest information.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and occasionally fatal infections in young children, the frail or elderly, as well as those with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The company said no illnesses have been reported due to the recalled products and that the voluntary recall is being made in "an abundance of caution and in the interest of protecting its customers and end consumers."

Photo: Growers Express