McCain Foods USA recalls frozen roasted vegetables. Foods using these as ingredient are being recalled as well

Details about the recalls by national US retailers and multiple manufacturers over common ingredients remain murky but McCain Foods USA Inc. is now recalling all products from its Colton, California, which produces fire roasted caramelized or sauteed frozen fruit and vegetable products

Ingredients from that Californian facility, acquired by McCain Foods USA in 2007 as Jon-Lin, Inc., may be the cause of the multiple recalls in recent days: more than 755.5 tons of additional meat and poultry products were recalled by a half-dozen companies over the weekend for containing various vegetables apparently supplied by McCain over potential contamination from both Salmonella and Listeria pathogens.

McCain Foods is world's largest potato processor and is primarily known for its frozen french fries and potato specialties.

However, the company also produces a number of vegetable products, typically in dedicated facilities such as the Colton plant. No McCain Foods potato products are affected.

The first sign of trouble at Colton, California occurred on Oct. 15 when McCain Foods recalled Fire Roasted Black Bean Corn for potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes or Salmonella.

National retailers including WalMart, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and 7-Eleven quickly followed with up with recalls for their own brands.

On Oct. 18, the Midwest grocery chain Hy-Vee named McCain Foods supplied ingredients for fresh meat, poultry, and potato products under recall from all of its 245 stores across eight states.

The recall notice said the ingredients from McCain, caramelized mushrooms and dried tomatoes, are potentially contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella.
 The next day, Oct. 19, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) told Food Safety News that, as of then, McCain Foods had been identified as the supplier in all of the corn-related recalls the agency has posted in recent days.

Over the weekend, however, a half dozen food companies recalled more than 755.5 tons of meat and poultry products for containing various onions, vegetables or corn that were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella. All said they were recalling their products because of action by their suppliers who they declined to name.

Also on Oct. 19, FSIS and FDA jointly warned the public about the multiple recalls:
 

“No illnesses to date have been identified in connection with any of these foods, but consumers should not eat any of the products that have been recalled, as they could be contaminated with Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes.”

“Many of the recalled products require cooking, which if properly done, would reduce the risk of illness from Salmonella or Listeria contamination. However, some of the products are 'ready-to-eat' and would not be cooked. In addition, many of the recalled products are expired.”

“If you still have one or more of the recalled products in your home, throw them away or return them to the store you purchased them from.”

“A list of recalled products can be found on the FDA recalls page. Products were sold nationwide. Additional information will be posted as the list of recalls may expand and more information becomes available.”