South Georgia's Baker Farms recalls curly mustard greens for listeria contamination

Caption

Baker Farms Brand Curly Mustard, as pictured, is being recalled for listeria monocytogenes.

Credit: Courtesy of Georgia Department of Agriculture

On Dec. 3, the Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner announced that Baker Farms, a South Georgia family farm operation leading the state in leafy greens' growth, is recalling its Baker Brand Curly Mustard greens due to listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Products likely to be affected are the Baker Farms Curly Mustard 16-ounce bag, with a production code of bak144-6806 and a "best by" date Nov. 21, 2024, as seen on the front of each package.

According to a Department of Agriculture press release, listeria monocytogenes is "an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems."

Healthy individuals may only suffer short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. But a listeria monocytogenes infection could result in miscarriages and stillbirth in pregnant women.

The Department of Agriculture reports that the Texas Department of State Health Services notified them that the products tested positive for listeria monocytogenes on Nov. 29.

The specific recalled products were packed on Nov. 4, distributed between Nov. 5 and Nov. 9, and sold to distribution centers in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.

The state agency says no illness has been reported as of Tuesday, Dec. 3.

"Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume the product but to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund, or they may discard the product," said the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Consumers with questions may contact Baker Farms (844) 761-2244 Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST, the agency said.