Pero Family Farms Food Company, LLC recalls processed butternut squash items due to health concerns

Pero Family Farms Food Company, LLC initiated its own voluntary recall of its butternut squash products after receiving a notification of this recall from its supplier, Race West Company, that some products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to a Department of Defense All Food and Drug Activity message sent Jan. 14.

The Pero Family Farms products were distributed by Military Produce Group (MPG) out of its Birmingham, Alabama; Norfolk, Virginia; and Savannah, Georgia warehouses to military retail establishments.

Listeria monocytogenes may cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the frail or elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy adults may only suffer short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria infections may also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Illness caused by these bacteria can take up to 70 days to appear. No illnesses have been reported to date.

The Defense Commissary Agency has publicized this recall to all its stores, said Richard Stith, Chief, Public Health Division, DeCA headquarters at Fort Lee, Virginia. Whenever a commissary has recalled or withdrawn products in its inventory, they are immediately removed from store shelves.              

The following products are affected by this recall:

• Pero Family Farms Squash Butternut Spiral 4/10 ounces - with product number 06006
• US Foods Manassas Squash, Butternut Cube 3/4" Fresh Ref - best buy dates of Jan. 5 through Jan. 15, item number 4235719
• US Foods Raleigh Squash, Butternut Cube 3/4" Fresh Ref - best buy dates of Jan. 5 through Jan. 15, item number 4235719

Customers should return this product to the commissary of purchase for a full refund.