Listen up, folks.  It’s time to check your refrigerator and cupboards for food that may be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes, a very serious and potentially fatal foodborne pathogen. 

This morning, Food Safety News is reporting that Parkers Farm, Inc., a Coon Rapids, Minnesota-based food manufacturer is recalling a variety of products after product sampling conducted by food safety officials in Minnesota and Wisconsin returned positive for listeria monocytogenes.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now investigating to determine what caused the problem.

The implicated Parkers Farm products include:

  • 34 OZ. PEANUT BUTTER – SELL BY DATES BETWEEN 8-11-2010 AND 9-30-2010
  • 16 OZ. PEANUT BUTTER – SELL BY DATES BETWEEN 11-14-2010 AND 12-31-2010
  • CHEESE CUPS (8oz.-12 oz.-16oz) – SELL BY DATES BETWEEN 11-14-2010 AND 12-31-2010
  • SALSA – SELL BY DATES BETWEEN 3-14-2010 AND 4-30-2010
  • PIMENTO/JALAPENO NACHO AND CONQUESO – SELL BY DATES BETWEEN 8-11-2010 AND 9-30-2010
  • CREAM CHEESE SPREADS – SELL BY DATES BETWEEN 5-13-2010 AND 6-30-2010

Sell by dates are located on the side of the container below the lid.

These products are distributed and sold to a number of large, national grocery chains, including Hy-Vee, Cub, Rainbow, Lunds & Byerly’s, Target, Whole Foods, Jewel, Dominick’s, Marsh, Price Chopper, Shop Rite, Nash Finch, Sam’s Club, Costco, and Safeway.

Thus far, no illnesses have been associated with this recall.  Consumers should return the recalled products to their retailers for a full refund.  Questions may be directed to Parkers Farm at (800)-869-6685.