Celery sticks recalled in 30 states after testing finds Listeria

FOOD SAFETY NEWS – Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc., based in Oxnard, CA, is recalling 1,587 cases of its 4 in/1.6 oz Marketside Celery Sticks sold at Walmart stores across 30 states because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

The recall was prompted by a random sampling conducted by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, which detected Listeria monocytogenes in one of multiple samples taken from a Georgia store.

Although the product is past its Best if Used by Date and is no longer available in stores, consumers may have frozen the celery sticks for later use.

The recalled product was distributed to stores in Alabama, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause severe and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Symptoms may include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Pregnant women are at risk of miscarriages or stillbirths from infection.

Recalled Product:

• Marketside Celery Sticks
• Description: 4 count, 1.6 oz bundle pack
• UPC: 6 81131 16151 0
• Lot Code: P047650
• Best if Used by Date: 03/23/2025
• Distributed By: Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc., Oxnard, CA
• Sold At: Walmart stores in AL, CA, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MI, MO, MT, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV, WY

As of the posting of this recall, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall.

Consumers who have the recalled product, including any stored in freezers, are urged not to consume it and should discard it immediately.

More about Listeria infections

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any recalled product and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop.

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, and other complications.

Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.