Kroger has issued a voluntary recall affecting a range of products distributed across more than 25 states, including Washington. The company has confirmed that these items have been swiftly removed from store shelves in compliance with guidelines from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This recall stems from potential contamination with listeria monocytogenes found in their deli’s basil pesto bowtie salad and smoked mozzarella penne salad.
Listeria monocytogenes is a harmful bacterium that can lead to severe and potentially fatal infections, particularly threatening to vulnerable populations such as young children, seniors, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Thankfully, the FDA reports that, as of now, there have been no reported illnesses or injuries linked to the recalled salads.
Kroger is a major player in the grocery industry and manages a variety of well-known chains, including Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, King Soopers, Payless, Ralphs, and Smith’s. This information was reiterated in a recent announcement from the FDA.
The affected salads were sold in stores between September 6 and October 2. The recall impacts a wide geographical area, including states such as Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia.
Kroger has indicated that information from some suppliers raised concerns about possible listeria contamination in the deli pasta salads. These items were available for purchase at both the deli service counters and in convenient “grab-n-go” packages across approximately 1,860 stores in 28 states, including key markets like California, Nevada, Montana, Idaho, and Washington.
In light of this situation, Kroger has urged customers who may have purchased the affected products to refrain from consuming them. Instead, they should return the items to their local store for a full refund or a replacement. This proactive measure aims to ensure customer safety and maintain trust in the quality of Kroger’s offerings.
