According to a FDA notice on November 30, VEGGIE PATCH® is voluntarily recalling two of its products—The Ultimate Meatless Burger and Falafel, due to a risk of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and occasionally fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer from short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Listeria infection can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. The Ultimate Meatless Burger and Falafel with the specific use-by dates and UPC codes listed below were distributed to a select number of retailers and distributors:
- 9-ounce trays of refrigerated, fully cooked, VEGGIE PATCH, The Ultimate Meatless Burger with a 1/12/13 use-by date; UPC code 6-10129-00211-5
- 9-ounce trays of refrigerated, fully cooked, VEGGIE PATCH, Falafel with a 1/15/13 use-by date; UPC code 6-10129-06619-3
Products that do not contain the specific use-by dates and UPC codes listed are not affected by the recall. The Ultimate Meatless Burger potentially affected was available for sale as of November 21, 2012 in the following states: NY, CT, PA, FL, IL, MD, IN, WI, VA, NJ and DE. Potentially affected Falafel was available for sale as of November 21, 2012 nationwide. No illnesses have been reported to date. VEGGIE PATCH discovered this issue as part of its routine testing of its products. Consumers who purchased any product with the specific use-by dates and UPC codes listed above are asked to dispose of the product. They should email contactus@veggiepatch.com to arrange for a full refund. Consumers with questions can contact VEGGIE PATCH at 888-807-0765, 8am- 5pm EST seven days a week. It is the responsibility of retail food distribution companies and services to follow FDA established safety and cleanliness protocols. If you believe that you or a member of your family has been sickened because of a violation, please contact Finkelstein & Partners immediately.