Green Bean Recall
Southern Specialties has issued a recall of select green bean and butternut squash bags sold under the Marketside brand for a possible listeria contamination. Green beans are offered for sale at Eastern Market on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on June 27, 2008. According to a survey released on June 26, nearly a quarter of Americans are cutting back their spending on food and healthcare thanks to rising fuel prices. Getty Images/SAUL LOEB

A possible listeria contamination has prompted a recall of Southern Specialties Inc.’s Marketside-branded green beans and butternut squash. The vegetable recall affects select bags and was distributed throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

The recalled green beans include 32-ounce bags with a UPC code of 681131457385 and a Best if Used by date of MAR-9-2019. Lot codes are 83931-123 or 83939-124. It also includes 12-ounce bags of green beans with a UPC code of 681131328869 and a Best if Used by date of MAR-8-2019. Lot codes are 83928-628 or 83932-123.

The recalled butternut squash includes 16-ounce bags with a UPC code of 681131122351 and a Best if Used by date of MAR-6-2019. Lot codes are 83940-319 or 83940-139.

Consumers should not consume the recalled vegetables. They should destroy the affected green beans and butternut squash or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Southern Specialties at 1-954-876-2453 or visit the company website at www.southernspecialties.com. The company said it will return calls within 24 hours.

Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal illnesses in young children, elderly adults, and those with weakened immune systems. Individuals that are infected with the bacteria may experience high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Listeria can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.

Southern Specialties said it has not received any reports of illness from the recalled vegetables.

The listeria outbreak was discovered when a supplier notified Southern Specialties after routine testing showed positive for listeria. Southern Specialties is issuing the recall as a precautionary measure for all products that were repacked at its facility on the same line as the supplier’s products. None of its products have tested positive for listeria.

Southern Specialties has made the recall in conjunction with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

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