Celery sold at Walmart in nearly 30 states recalled over possible listeria contamination

Celery sold at Walmarts in nearly 30 states has been recalled due to a possible listeria contamination risk, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

California-based Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc. voluntarily recalled the washed and ready-to-eat celery after random sampling by the Georgia Department of Agriculture at a store in Georgia gave a positive result. 

Listeria infection can cause fever, headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea and, in young children, the elderly and immunocompromised people, it can be fatal.

It can also cause stillbirths and miscarriages in pregnant women. 

No illnesses have yet been reported from the Marketside Celery Sticks sold at Walmart with the UPC code 6 81131 16151 0, the FDA said. 

The sticks come in a four count and have a sell-by date of March 23, although the FDA noted that purchasers might have frozen the celery to use later. 

The celery has a lot code of P047650 on the front of the package. 

Because they’re past their sell-by date, the product is no longer for sale. 

The FDA said that anyone with the product should throw it away, noting that it doesn’t apply to any other Marketside or Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc. products.

The celery was sold in Alabama, California, Colorado, Washington, D.C., 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.