Company recalls potatoes over listeria concerns
Northern Star, a subsidiary of Minnetonka-based Michael Foods Inc., issued a voluntary recall for some potato products after testing found listeria bacteria in a sample of Simply Potatoes Southwest Style Hash Browns.
The voluntary recall includes hash browns, wedges and slices under the brand names Simply Potatoes, Diners Choice and Farm Fresh with "use by" dates of March 29, 2009 to April 3, 2009.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is urging anyone who may have eaten refrigerated potato products under the brand name of Northern Star to check the "use by" dates.
Michael Schommer of the Department of Agriculture says eating food contaminated with listeria can cause fever, severe headaches, neck stiffness and nausea.
"There are no illnesses reported in relation to the products, but we did make that advisory as a precautionary measure," said Schommer. "What we are doing here is trying to get this message out so that any of those vulnerable populations don't eat this product and then get sick."
No illnesses related to the potatoes have been reported. The state Department of Agriculture is continuing to investigate.
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