Gluten-Free, But Not Bacteria-Free

Two products recalled by Ian's due to potential Listeria bacteria

/ Author:  / Reviewed by: Joseph V. Madia, MD

Ian's has issued a voluntary recall of its gluten-free macaroni and French bread pizza due to potential Listeria contamination, which can cause serious illness for those with weakened immune systems.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy persons may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.

The following two products with the specific use-by dates and UPC codes listed are being recalled because they may have been distributed to retailers nationwide and sold in the frozen foods section of the supermarket:

8-ounce boxes of Ian’s Wheat Free, Gluten Free Mac and No Cheese with a use-by date of 26 Aug 2011 and UPC code 7-49512-43670-8 (372 packages impacted)
8-ounce boxes of Ian’s Wheat Free, Gluten Free French Bread Pizza with a use-by date of 28 Aug 2011 and UPC code 7-49512-91572-2 (120 packages impacted)

A total of 492 individual boxes are potentially affected.

Consumers who purchased the above products with the specific use-by dates and UPC codes listed are asked to return the products to the place of purchase to receive a full refund. Products that do not contain the specific use-by dates and UPC codes listed are not affected by the recall, and can be used by consumers.

Consumers with questions can contact Ian’s at 1-800-543-6637 twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, or at customerservice@iansnaturalfoods.com.

More information is available on the Ian’s website at www.iansnaturalfoods.com.