Woodstock Organic Matcha Vanilla Oats Recalled For Possible Listeria Contamination

Woodstock Organic Matcha Vanilla Oats was recalled nationwide for possible listeria contamination after traces of the bacteria were found in its ingredients, reports said.

According to reports, the ingredients used in the recalled product were supplied to manufacturer Garden of Light Inc. by Hudson Valley Farms, New York.

Listeria is an infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacteria ‘Listeria monocytogenes.’ Pregnant women, children, newborns, elderly people and those with a weak immunity are more likely to get infected.

Read: What Is Listeria? Unusual Bacteria Linked To Recalls Of Sabra Hummus, Blue Bell Ice Cream

According to a statement released by the FDA on Tuesday, “The product (Woodstock Organic Matcha Vanilla Oats) has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.”

“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. The recalled item, Woodstock Organic Matcha Vanilla Oats, was distributed nationwide in retail stores,” FDA posted on its website.

Consumers who have already bought the product have been advised by the FDA to destroy it. Those seeking a refund will be required to produce the bill at the store where they purchased the product, Tuscon News Now reported.

According to the recall notice posted by the FDA, no illnesses have been reported so far. However, a report by the Centers for Diagnostic Control and Prevention (CDC) states Listeria is the third leading cause of death from food poisoning in the United States. About 1,600 people contract Listeria every year, and about 260 die from the illness.

CDC, on its website, also stated that expecting mothers and newborn babies are at a higher risk of contracting the infection, also known as listeriosis. Listeria infection can cause miscarriage, still birth and preterm labor, CDC stated.

A report by Food Safety News said people who had already consumed these oats and developed Listeria symptoms should immediately seek medical help and inform their doctor about their exposure to the bacteria. The report also stated that those who have consumed the recalled product and not developed any symptoms so far should monitor their health for a few days as it takes about nine weeks for Listeria symptoms to develop.

The report also suggests people with strong immunity may suffer from short-term symptoms such as a severe headache, nausea, high fever, and diarrhea.

Read: Listeria Outbreak -- Bacteria Found in Romaine Lettuce: FDA

This is not the first time a Listeria-contaminated food product has been recalled. In the past, several companies have recalled their products after it was found the ingredients used in their products, which came from the Hudson Valley Farms Inc., had traces of Listeria monocytogenes in it.

In June, United Natural Trading LLC in Edison, New Jersey, recalled their products containing organic chopped dates after finding traces of Listeria in the ingredients they bought from Hudson Valley Farms.