California Grower Recalls Avocados Over Possible Listeria

By Holliday Moore
Associated Press
Published: Tuesday, March 26, 2019 - 9:19am

A Southern California company is voluntarily recalling whole avocados over possible listeria contamination.

Henry Avocado, a grower and distributor based near San Diego, said Saturday that the recall covers conventional and organic avocados grown and packed in California. The company says they were sold in bulk across California, Arizona, Florida, Wisconsin, North Carolina and New Hampshire.

There have been no reports of any illnesses associated with the avocados.

Terri Farneti with the Yavapai County Health Department says grocers are pulling “Bravacado” brand from the Henry Avocado Company off of their shelves due to listeria contamination.

“They urge consumers to take the avocados if they have that sticker on them to discard them or return them for a refund and the company also noted the avocados imported from Mexico are not effected at all," said Farneti.

Farnetti says most stores have removed the individually sold “Bravacados” from shelves by now, but the bulk sales found at bigger retailers may still be at stores or on kitchen counters.

The company says it issued the voluntary recall after a routine inspection of its packing plant revealed samples that tested positive for listeria.

The company says avocados imported from Mexico and distributed by Henry are not being recalled and are safe.

Listeria is a bacteria that can cause fever and diarrhea, and more dangerous complications in pregnant women.

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