VA, DC Listeria Recall Update: Sandwiches, Fruit Cups Sold On Amtrak

VIRGINIA ? Amtrak riders on busy train routes that pass through DC and Virginia purchased sandwiches and fruit cups recalled because of potential listeria contamination, officials said.

Baltimore-based Fresh Ideation Food Group recalled more than 400 products include a range of breakfast and lunch muffins, croissants and sandwiches, salads, yogurts and fruit cups sold under various brands, but all labeled Fresh Creative Cuisine with fresh-through or sell-through dates of Jan. 31 to Feb. 6.

Amtrak said it sold affected products on its trains between Jan. 24-29, including the busy Acela and Northeast Regional trains, The New York Times reported.

"We immediately stopped serving these products and promptly removed them from our trains upon notification," Amtrak wrote in an email to customers, asking them to dispose of any they may have purchased but not yet eaten.

"All products currently served onboard are completely safe to consume," the email said.

Potentially contaminated products were sold in New Jersey, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia.

Fresh Ideation Food Group said the recall was made after routine monitoring of its facility showed "listeria may be present."

"In an abundance of caution, we have recalled all products made at the time of this finding," the company said.

No illnesses have been reported, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Symptoms of listeria infections generally begin within two weeks after eating food that contains the bacteria, and can include fever, muscle aches, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

An estimated 1,600 people get listeriosis each year, and about 260 die, according to the CDC. The infection is most likely to sicken pregnant women and their newborns, adults 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems.

Last fall, a listeria outbreak linked to deli meats and cheeses sold in six states resulted in one death, one pregnancy loss and at least 16 illnesses, according to public health officials.

Also last year, a Florida company recalled all of its ice cream after a listeria outbreak that killed one person and sickened at least 22 others.

In December 2021, prepacked salad maker Fresh Express recalled some of its products after a sample tested positive for listeria and was tied to an outbreak that public health officials said was associated with 10 illnesses, 10 hospitalizations and one death.