Lancaster Foods LLC recalls processed butternut squash items due to health concerns

Lancaster Foods LLC is recalling processed butternut squash items because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to a Department of Defense All Food and Drug Activity message sent Jan. 20.

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 Whenever a commissary has recalled or withdrawn products in its inventory, they are immediately removed from store shelves.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:

• Lancaster Foods Autumn Medley 16 ounces - UPC 8 13055 01115 6, with the expiration dates of Jan. 5, Jan. 7 and Jan. 9
• Lancaster Foods Butternut Squash Noodles 12 ounces - UPC 8 13055 01749 3, with the expiration date of Jan. 10
• Lancaster Foods Butternut Squash Noodles 12 ounces - UPC 8 13055 01864 3, with the expiration dates of Jan. 5, Jan. 8, Jan. 10 – 12 and Jan. 15 and Jan. 17
• Store Brand Butternut Squash Noodles 12 ounces - UPC 6 88267 17259 5, with the expiration dates of Jan. 8, Jan. 10, Jan. 12 -15 and Jan. 17
• Lancaster Foods Butternut Squash Planks 21 ounces - UPC 8 13055 01272 6, with the expiration dates of Jan. 2, Jan. 8, Jan. 12, Jan. 15, and Jan. 17
• Lancaster Foods Squash Noodle Medley 20 ounces - UPC 8 13055 01836 0, with the expiration dates of Jan. 5, Jan. 8, Jan. 13 and 14, and Jan. 16
• Store Brand Squash Noodle Medley 20 ounces - UPC 6 88267 18585 4, with the expiration dates of Jan. 3, Jan. 8, Jan. 11 and Jan. 17 - 19
• Lancaster Foods Butternut Squash Chunks 2.5# - UPC 8 13055 01596 3, with the expiration dates of Jan. 4, Jan. 12, Jan.15, and Jan. 18
• Lancaster Foods Butternut Squash Chunks 20 ounces - UPC 8 13055 01150 7, with the expiration dates of Jan. 5, Jan. 8 and 9, Jan. 13, and Jan. 16
• Lancaster Foods Butternut Squash Chunks 24 ounces - UPC 8 13055 01300 6, with the expiration dates of Jan. 12, 13 and Jan. 15
• Lancaster Foods Butternut Squash Chunks 12 ounces - UPC 8 13055 01391 4, with the expiration dates of Jan. 4 and 5, Jan. 7, Jan. 11 and 12, Jan. 15, Jan. 17 and Jan. 20
• Lancaster Foods Veggie Rice Blend 15 ounces - UPC 8 13055 01014 2, with the expiration dates of Jan. 7 and Jan. 9 01/07/21 and 01/09/21 and the package is a stand-up steam pouch with 'grab & steam' printed on the header

The recalled items were distributed in North Carolina, Virginia, Washington D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont mainly through retail stores.

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

Customers with questions should contact the company by phone at 1-410-799-0010, extension 1530, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST Monday through Sunday.