Pero Family Farms, Publix butternut squash products recalled

A possible listeria problem at the supplier level caused Publix and Delray Beach-based Pero Family Farms to recall butternut squash products, Publix announced Friday.

One supplier’s problems often ripple out to become several sellers’ and many consumers’ problems. So it was here, as described in the two recall notices posted to Publix’s website and, later to a Pero-written notice posted to the FDA website.

Once butternut squash supplier Race West let Pero Family Farms know the squash sent to Pero might have listeria, Pero had to tell Publix the same thing. Pero supplies the butternut squash for Publix’s house brand products.

The Pero products — recalled in Florida, Texas, New York, Louisiana, Maine, Georgia, Ohio, Virginia, Alabama, Virginia and Missouri — are:

▪ 13-ounce Cubed Butternut Tray, run No. 1222496F, use by 1/13/2021; No. 1222747F, use by 1/14/2021; No. 1222831F, use by 1/15/2021; No. 1222851F, use by 1/16/2021; No. 1222959F, use by 1/17/2021; No. 1223108F, use by 1/18/2021; No. 1223145F, use by 1/19/2021; and No. 1223223F, use by 1/20/2021.

▪ 9.5-ounce Butternut Veggie Spirals Tray, run No. 1222496F, use by 1/13/2021; No. 1222747F, use by 1/14/2021; No. 1222831F, use by 1/15/2021; No. 1222851F, use by 1/16/2021; No. 1222959F, use by 1/17/2021; No. 1223108F, use by 1/18/2021; No. 1223145F, use by 1/19/2021; and No. 1223223F, use by 1/20/2021.

▪ 12-ounce Veggie Butternut Squash Tray, run No. 1222496F, use by 1/15/2021; No. 1222747F, use by 1/16/2021; No. 1222959F, use by 1/19/2021; and No. 1223223F, use by 1/22/2021.

▪ 10-ounce Butternut Spirals Tray, run No. 1222496F, use by 1/15/2021; No. 1222747F, use by 1/16/2021; No. 1222831F, use by 1/17/2021; No. 1222851F, use by 1/18/2021; No. 1222959F, use by 1/19/2021; No. 1223108F, use by 1/20/2021; No. 1223145F, use by 1/21/2021; and No. 1223223F, use by 1/22/2021.

▪ 4/5-pound Butternut Chunk Bag, run No. 1222496F, use by 1/13/2021.

▪ 2/5-pound Butternut Chunk Bag, run No. 1222496F, use by 1/13/2021.

▪ 5-pound Butternut Chunk Bag, run No. 1223198F, use by 1/20/2021.

The Publix products pulled are all Steam In Bag products with expiration dates from 01/03/2021 to 01/14/2021: Green Bean Butternut Squash; Seasoned Butternut Medley; and Butternut with Brussel Sprouts and Pecans.

If you have any of these products, toss them or return them to the store for a full refund. For those with questions, either call Pero Family Farms at 561-498-5771, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; email Pero at [email protected]; or call Publix at 800-242-1227.

Listeria hits about 1,600 Americans each year, the CDC says, and kills about 260. The worst consequences usually hit senior citizens, kids under 5 and people with damaged immune systems. It can cause miscarriage and stillbirths in pregnant women. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headaches, confusion and poor balance.