February 6, 2023 – Dozens of brands of prepared meals are being recalled attributable to possible contamination with the harmful bacteria listeria. The products were sold in a wide range of locations, including retail stores, on trains and in vending machines.
The recall Lists greater than 400 ready meals, including:
- Breakfast rolls
- Parfaits and fruit cups
- Snack packages
- Sandwiches and Hoagies
- Pizza
- Salads
- dessert
The affected foods have the label “Fresh Creative Cuisine” at the highest or one other brand name with the identifier “Fresh Creative Cuisine” at the underside of the label, in line with a press release from the manufacturer Fresh Ideation Food Group LLC.
The recalled products were sold from Jan. 24 to Jan. 30 and are marked with a “fresh by” or “sell by” date that's between Jan. 31 and Feb. 6. In its announcement, the corporate said the recalled products were sold “at retail locations, vending machines and on travel carriers.”
No further official details in regards to the retail locations have been announced, but letters from Amtrak to recent travelers regarding the recall have been posted on social media and travel forums. The products were distributed in Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia.
Some of the labels on the recalled products were “Naval Academy 1845 Coffee” and “Westin Label.” Other packaging labels included “Quick & Fresh,” “Bistro to Go,” “Fresh Creative Cuisine White,” and “Orchard Bistro.”
“The recall was initiated after the company’s environmental samples tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes”, says the announcement on the FDA website. No illnesses have been reported to this point.
Most symptoms after eating food contaminated with listeria occur inside a number of days and include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, in line with the FDA. However, severe cases could cause confusion, lack of balance or convulsions and should require hospitalization. Newborns and the elderly, in addition to pregnant women, are at higher risk of great illness.
On its website, the Maryland-based company says it has certifications from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, FDA and U.S. military and “has the capacity to produce tens of thousands of freshly prepared menu items.”
Consumers who purchased the products may call Fresh Ideation Food Group LLC Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET at 855-969-3338.