Parkers Farm was recently declared safe by state health inspectors, and has resumed production operations weeks after recalling its entire line of peanut and cheese products. Production at the Coon Rapids, MN plant was shut down due to a potentially deadly Listeria food poisoning outbreak. It is unknown at this point whether the company will be fined for violating health regulations.
The food products produced by Parkers Farm were distributed at a wide range of retailers, including Wal-Mart, Target, Sam’s Club, Whole Foods, Hy-Vee and Costco. Production was shut down by state investigators following a nationwide recall of these products. While only a partial recall was required initially, a complete recall followed that included every product the company produces. The recall went out to stores and consumers who may have had the products in their homes.
The Listeria contamination was first detected in Chilton, Wisconsin at a cheese reseller. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection reported it to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Thankfully, no reports of illness due to the potentially deadly bacteria have been reported. Listeria can be fatal in the elderly, young children and individuals with compromised immune systems.
Parkers Farms has been in business for 33 years, and employs approximately 50 people. It is yet to be determined whether the complete recall of all of the company’s products will affect their future sales. According to Jean Kinsey, director of the Food Industry Center companies who quickly take care of recall situations are not likely to experience serious repercussions, and consumers confidence in the company usually returns in just two to four weeks time.
The brand names produced at Parkers Farm include Kroger, Block & Barrel, Cobblestone and Happy Farms, among others. It should be determined sometime this month if any penalties will be imposed on the company. Usually, companies who violate safety regulations are fined $1000 to $1500 per health violation. Over the past several years, previous state inspections of Parkers Farm revealed that no serious health violations were found.
Listeria contamination usually produces gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal cramps and nausea. Other Listeria symptoms occur if the infection spreads to the nervous system, including stiff neck, loss of balance, headache and confusion. Meningitis and encephalitis can occur in those with weak immune systems.
Individuals who experience symptoms of Listeria should seek medical attention immediately, especially those individuals at increased risk of serious complications.
