Red Lentil Dal Sold At Whole Foods Market Recalled Over Listeria Concerns

KEY POINTS

Bakkavor USA has recalled its Red Lentil Dal product
An investigation into what caused the problem is ongoing
Listeria symptoms can appear on the same day or as late as 70 days after exposure

Bakkavor USA is recalling its Red Lentil Dal product because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The products were sold at Whole Foods Market stores in many states.

The company learned of the issue earlier this week after Doux South Specialties informed it about the recall of its Pickled Curry Cauliflower, which happens to be one of the ingredients in the Red Lentil Dal, Bakkavor USA said in an announcement on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website. Bakkavor immediately stopped both production and distribution of the product.

"The FDA and Doux South Specialties, LLC are continuing their investigation as to what caused the problem," noted the company.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause a serious infection called Listeriosis. People can fall ill if they eat contaminated food, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explained.

While it's "rare" for people considered healthy to fall sick with a Listeria infection, or they may only experience short-term symptoms, the bacteria can cause a "serious and sometimes fatal" infection in young children, the elderly and the immunocompromised. In pregnant women, the illness may be mild but cause severe disease in the fetus or newborn, or even cause miscarriages or stillbirth.

So far, no illnesses related to the recall have been reported. Anyone who has experienced a fever or other possible Listeriosis symptoms such as muscles aches and fatigue within two months after consuming any possibly contaminated food should seek medical care, the CDC suggested. This is because the time it takes to develop symptoms can vary from the same day of the exposure to as late as 70 days after the exposure, the agency noted.

The recalled Whole Foods Market Red Lentil Dal had the UPC 1 95515 02394 8 and use by codes of 4/15/2022, 4/17/2022, 4/18/2022, 4/19/2022, 4/22/2022, 4/24/2022, 4/25/2022 and 4/26/2022. Photos of the product's packaging are available on the FDA website.

The recalled products were distributed in Whole Foods Market stores in almost all states. Those who have bought the product can get a full refund if they show a valid receipt at the store.