Frozen Smoothies from Costco Under Food Recall for Potential Listeria

Rader Farms brand frozen smoothies are under food recall due to potential listeria, so many major retailers, including Costco, have notified their consumers.

Inventure Farms Inc, based in Phoenix, Arizona, has issued a food recall to retailers across the US and Canada that its Rader Farms Fresh Start Smoothie Blend, Fresh Start Sunrise Refresh Fusion, and Fresh Start Daily Power Fusion frozen smoothies should not be consumed due to potential listeria contamination.

Although the smoothies themselves have not tested positive for listeria, according to the manufacturer, the kale and spinach from a different lot did test positive, so the company issued the food recall as a cautionary measure. The smoothies under food recall were sold at Costco stores in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan of Canada.

Although another serious listeria outbreak has occurred in the US, linked to Bidart Bros apples that were used to pre-packaged caramel apples, the smoothie food recall is not associated with those apples, and so far no reports of illnesses, injuries, or deaths have been linked to tainted smoothies. Currently, 32 people in 11 states have contracted listeriosis from consuming listeria-contaminated apples, and 31 of those people have required hospitalization. Five people have died due to listeria infections contracted from consuming the caramel apples.  A major outbreak in 2011 from contaminated cantaloupes spread across 28 states, which killed 33 people and sickened 147. The owners of the cantaloupe farm were criminally charged for the outbreak.

Listeria can cause a potentially fatal infection in those with compromised immune systems such as older adults, pregnant women, and young children. People with stronger immune systems could experience symptoms such as headache, stiffness, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Listeria can pass to the fetus in pregnant women, causing miscarriage. According to the CDC, there were 1,651 cases of listeriosis nationally between 2009 and 2011 – the infection was fatal in 21% of the reported cases.

The Strom Law Firm Protects Citizens Harmed by Outbreaks, Including Listeria

Consumers that have been harmed by defective products such as drugs, medical devices, improperly-sealed food, or other products, may be eligible to receive legal remedies.

The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm keep a close watch on recalls of dangerous and defective products in the US. We aim to protect our clients’ health and safety, and hold manufacturers to the highest possible standard of safety. Product recalls are especially important because defective drugs, medical devices, food, and toys can seriously injure or even kill consumers. If you or a loved one have experienced severe, life-limiting side effects from a defective food, product or drug, and believe that your pain stems from a product, drug, or food recall such as a Listeria food recall that came too late, you may be entitled to compensation. The Strom Law Firm can help. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so contact us today. 803.252.4800