Cilantro Sold at Meijer Recalled Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

The Kane County Health Department is advising that Buurma Farms, Inc. is voluntarily recalling 465 boxes of Cilantro lot #02D312A4. 

Buurma Farms recalled this product due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.  

The Meijer at 400 S. Randall Road, Algonquin, is included on the list of possible stores that may have received this product.  A list of possible stores who may have received this product is listed at the following website: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm365422.htm?source=govdelivery. 

Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Buurma Farms, Inc. has not received any case of reported illness related to this product to date.

The product was shipped to retail stores in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. The Cilantro, which was distributed through Meijer and Ben B Schwartz and Sons in Michigan the week of August 5-9, could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  

The Cilantro has a Buurma Farms twist-tie on it. 

Product affected by the recall are: Cilantro, fresh, UPC #4889, Lot #02D312A4, GTIN: 0 33383 80104 9. Product is sold in ~4 oz. bunches with a Product of USA Buurma Farms #4889 labeled twist tie.

Consumers who may have purchased this product should return or dispose of the product. A photo of the product label can be found on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) website: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm365423.htm.

 Buurma Farms Inc. became aware of this issue after the Michigan Department of Agriculture conducted a routine test on a sample obtained at Ben B Schwartz and found that sample contained the bacteria. The recall does not affect any other Buurma Farms produce products.

Upon learning of the potential contamination, Buurma Farms quickly alerted the retailer and wholesaler and requested they remove the produce from their shelves. The source of the contamination is still under investigation. To date Buurma Farms has not been able to find any other evidence of contamination within their supply chain. Buurma Farms, Inc. is fully co-operating with the FDA in its investigation. 

Customers who have questions may contact Buurma Farms Inc. at 419-935-6411, Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm Eastern.