Your freezer might hold a hidden danger: Endico Potatoes Inc. announced on September 4, 2025, a recall of its frozen Peas & Carrots and Mixed Vegetables due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination, affecting New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, Florida, and Washington, D.C. Triggered by positive tests at a Pennsylvania distributor, this recall underscores a troubling rise in food safety alerts—2024 saw 300 recalls linked to nearly 1,400 illnesses, per Public Interest Research Group. With no reported illnesses yet, this move is a precaution, but it raises a bigger question: Are we doing enough to prevent foodborne risks in our supply chains? Join us as we break down the recall details, its health implications, and actionable steps for consumers to stay safe.

The Recall Rundown: What’s Affected and Where

Endico Potatoes Inc., based in Mount Vernon, New York, initiated the recall after Pennsylvania state sampling detected Listeria in its products. The affected items, sold in 2.5-pound clear plastic bags under the Endico label, were distributed to local retailers in seven regions between July 18 and August 4, 2025. Here’s what to check:

• Peas and Carrots: Lot 110625, Production Date 6/11/25, Use By Date 6/10/27
• Mixed Vegetables: Lot 170625, Production Date 6/17/25, Use By Date 6/16/27

These lot codes are printed on the bag sides, and product images are available on the FDA’s recall page. The recall spans New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, Florida, and Washington, D.C., impacting local grocery chains and distributors. Endico has halted distribution while investigating with the FDA, per Allrecipes. This sets the stage for understanding why Listeria is a serious concern and what consumers should do next.

Listeria Risks and Industry Context

Listeria monocytogenes isn’t just a minor bug—it’s the third-leading cause of foodborne illness deaths in the U.S., claiming about 260 lives annually, per the CDC. Let’s dive into the stakes and broader trends.

Health Impacts: From Mild Symptoms to Severe Risks

Listeria can cause listeriosis, a potentially deadly infection, especially for vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals might face short-term symptoms—fever, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, or diarrhea—but for pregnant women, it risks miscarriages or stillbirths, per Newsweek. No illnesses are linked to this recall yet, but the FDA urges caution: don’t consume these products, even if cooking, due to cross-contamination risks.

A curious stat: Listeria outbreaks tied to frozen foods spiked 15% from 2022-2024, per CDC data, often from processing plant lapses. This recall follows others, like Middlefield Cheese’s 5,000-pound recall in August 2025, signaling persistent supply chain vulnerabilities.

Industry Trends: A Surge in Recalls

The Endico recall is part of a broader wave—2024’s 300 food recalls, up from 250 in 2023, reflect heightened scrutiny and testing, per Public Interest Research Group. Frozen produce faces unique risks: improper storage or equipment sanitation can foster Listeria, which thrives in cold. On X, users express frustration, with some calling for stricter FDA oversight, while others praise proactive recalls. The FDA’s role, as noted in a January email to Newsweek, is to monitor voluntary recalls and alert the public, but critics argue more preventive measures—like mandatory facility audits—could curb outbreaks. This tension highlights the need for consumer vigilance, as we’ll explore next.

Protecting Your Kitchen and Health

If you’ve got Endico frozen vegetables, act fast:

• Check Your Freezer: Look for 2.5-pound bags with lot codes 110625 (Peas and Carrots) or 170625 (Mixed Vegetables). Images on the FDA’s site can help identify them.
• Don’t Eat, Return or Toss: Return products to the purchase point for a full refund or dispose of them securely to avoid accidental use, per The Independent. Cooking won’t eliminate cross-contamination risks.
• Contact Endico: For questions, call 1-800-431-1398, as advised by Allrecipes.
• Monitor Health: If you’ve consumed these products, watch for symptoms like fever or nausea for up to 70 days (Listeria’s incubation period) and consult a doctor if concerned.

For broader safety, store frozen foods at 0°F or below, per USDA guidelines, and clean freezer surfaces to prevent cross-contamination. Apps like Yummly can suggest Listeria-free recipes to replace affected veggies.

Food Safety in Focus

Endico’s recall, affecting seven states and D.C., is a stark reminder of food safety’s fragility in 2025’s complex supply chains. While no illnesses are reported, the Listeria risk demands action—check your freezer and act swiftly. The surge in recalls, up 20% since 2022, calls for stronger industry standards, but for now, consumers hold the frontline.

Stay proactive: Visit the FDA’s recall page for updates.