Bagged peaches sold at ALDI stores are being investigated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for possible salmonella contamination.
Health officials said Thursday that the peaches are the likely source of 68 salmonella infections reported across 9 states. The peaches were sold under the Wawona brand name in clear plastic bags at ALDI stores in 16 states.
The FDA is advising consumers, restaurants, and retailers not to eat, sell, or serve Wawona-brand bagged peaches from ALDI stores.
“Consumers who purchased Wawona-brand bagged peaches from ALDI stores from June 1, 2020 to present and may still have them in their house should not eat the peaches and should throw them away,” the FDA said in a release.
The agency added that consumers who froze the peaches in question should also throw them away.
Illnesses reported
The FDA said salmonella infections were reported in Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
"FDA's traceback investigation is ongoing to determine the full scope of product distribution and source of contamination," the agency said.
In light of the health risk, ALDI has recalled all Wawona-brand bagged peaches shipped to Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.
In addition to throwing away the peaches, the FDA recommends cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces that the peaches came into contact with to prevent cross-contamination. This includes cutting boards, knives, storage bins, countertops, and refrigerators.
Symptoms of salmonella include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever, chills, and headaches, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These symptoms can last between four and seven days. Consumers who have experienced any of these symptoms should call their health care provider right away.