School lunch supplier expands recall as precaution over Listeria

Let’s Do Lunch, the Gardena, CA school lunch supplier doing business as Integrated Food Service (IFS) is out with an expansion of its July 19the recall that this second time around time provides listings  of all recalled products, the identities of all IFS distributors, and the names of all the schools involved.

The reason for the expanded recall remains the same: the products have “the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.” There are not yet any reports of illnesses associated with the recall.  The recalls of products from schools comes as most are on summer vacation.

IFS opted for the recall after environmental testing was conducted as part of the the initial investigation. No positive findings in any food products or on food contact surfaces. IFS initiated a thorough cleaning and disinfection process, followed by extensive testing, and also has engaged outside food safety experts to review the company’s processes and policies.

The company is working closely with FDA officials and has voluntarily expanded the recall to include products produced between 5/18/16 and 6/16/16. The products were distributed to foodservice distributors in eight States. None of the recalled products are sold at any retail location.

The schools and foodservice distributors were located in the following states: CA, MI, NC, NM, OH, PA, TX, VA, WA. On the IFS website, customers will find a list of school districts that received the products being recalled. The list will be updated daily as further information becomes available.

The company is thoroughly communicating the details of the recall and is notifying customers and distributors to hold any product that may be in frozen storage until arrangements can be made to return or destroy the product. IFS will work closely with schools and school foodservice distributors until the company can assure that no recalled product remains in their locations.

Any school district that believes it may have product still in frozen storage that is affected by this recall should contact the IFS recall coordinator at (800) 560-9999 between the hours of 8AM and 5PM Pacific time, Monday through Friday, or at recall@integratedfoodservice.com for return or disposal instructions.

IFS is a third-generation, family owned company. It said it initiated the voluntary recall because of its commitment to take every precaution against food borne illnesses.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections especially in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Others typically suffer only short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Listeria is unusual for its long incubation period, meaning the time from exposure to symptoms. The average period is 30 days, but incubations can take twice that long.

from Food Safety News » Food Recalls http://ift.tt/2abXO7C