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Listeria Advisory Issued for 'Simply Potatoes'

By PritzkerLaw

 A finding of Listeria monocytogenes in a test sample of refrigerated "Simply Potatoes Southwest Style Hash Browns'' prompted the Minnesota Department of Agriculture on Friday to issue a consumer advisory.

The agency said in a press release that no illnesses have been associated with the product, but the food company that makes the potatoes issued a voluntary recall including some related products. The affected products, listed here by national food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen Attorneys, have "use by'' dates of March 29, 2009, to April 3, 2009.

• Simply Potatoes Shredded Hash Browns, 20 oz bag, UPC 20169-22233
• Simply Potatoes Southwest Style Hash Browns, 20 oz bag, 20169-22236
• Simply Potatoes Homestyle Slices, 20 oz bag, 20169-22237
• Simply Potatoes Red Potato Wedges, 20 oz bag, 20169-22238
• Diners Choice Shredded Hash Browns, 2 lb bag, 20169-22223
• Farm Fresh Shredded Hash Browns, 16 oz bag, 20169-22533

The maker is Northern Star Co., a subsidiary of Minnetonka, Minnesota,-based Michael Foods Co.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially serious disease marked by fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis, but it can cause fatal infections in high-risk groups such as infants, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis can also lead to miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.

Full post as published by Food Poisoning Law Blog on February 20, 2009 (boomark / email).