Public health officials in Tennessee have issued a public advisory to warn consumers about Listeria found in collard greens sold by Kroger stores.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Consumer and Industry Services Division found the contamination during routine surveillance sampling. Laboratory results revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in a 16-ounce package of Kroger Brand Collard Greens. The vegetables originated from Baker Farms in Norman Park, GA.

Food package information for the implicated Kroger Collard Greens includes Lot Code 110093-387 and UPC 11110-18171 with Best By date of 10-16-2023. Packages were shipped to Kroger stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, and Tennessee, according to the warning from the state department.

Baker Farms has issued a voluntary recall in affected states, and Kroger has requested all stores remove unsold packages from shelves and destroy any product inventory.

So far, state officials have not received reports that the collard greens have caused illness. TDA urges anyone who purchased collard greens products not to consume them. Consumers may call Kroger Customer Connect at 800-632-6900 with any questions.

About Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause severe and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any recalled product and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop.

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and cancer patients with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.