You open the freezer, grab a bag of mixed veggies for a quick stir-fry, and don't think twice. But for thousands of people across the East Coast and Florida, that simple dinner routine just got a lot more complicated. Endico Potatoes Inc., a staple brand out of Mount Vernon, New York, recently hit the headlines for something nobody wants in their kitchen: Listeria monocytogenes.
It's one of those things you hear about on the news and think, "Probably not my brand." Then you look.
The Breakdown of the Endico Frozen Vegetables Listeria Recall
So, what’s actually going on? Basically, the company had to pull two specific products off the shelves after a routine check by Pennsylvania state inspectors turned up positive for Listeria. We aren't talking about a tiny boutique brand here; these 2.5-pound bags were moving through major distribution channels.
The recall specifically targets two heavy hitters in the frozen aisle. First, there’s the Endico brand Peas and Carrots. Then, there’s the Endico Mixed Vegetables. Both come in those clear plastic bags that make it easy to see the quality of the veggies, which is ironic considering you can't see bacteria through plastic.
If you have a bag sitting in the back of your freezer, you need to check the side of the packaging. Look for these specific identifiers:
- Peas and Carrots: Lot code 110625, production date 6/11/25, and a use-by date of 6/10/27.
- Mixed Vegetables: Lot code 170625, production date 6/17/25, and a use-by date of 6/16/27.
The "use-by" dates are way out in 2027. That’s the scary part. People buy frozen food precisely because it lasts forever, so these bags could be sitting in freezers for months—or years—before someone decides to cook them.
Where Were These Veggies Sold?
The distribution map is kinda wide. According to the FDA, these bags were sent out to local distributors between July 18 and August 4, 2025. If you live in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, Florida, or the District of Columbia, you’re in the "red zone."
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It wasn't just a single grocery chain. Because Endico works through various distributors, these veggies could have ended up in smaller independent markets, regional chains, or even restaurant supply inventories.
Why Listeria Is a Total Nightmare
Honestly, Listeria is a weird beast compared to something like Salmonella. Most foodborne bacteria hate the cold. They stop growing when you put them in the fridge and definitely when you freeze them. Not Listeria. This stuff is hardy. It can actually grow at refrigeration temperatures, and freezing doesn't kill it; it just puts it on pause.
Most healthy people might just get a bad case of what feels like the "stomach flu." You know the drill: high fever, severe headache, maybe some nausea or diarrhea. It’s miserable, but you'll likely recover in a few days.
But for others, it's life-threatening.
Pregnant women are at massive risk. Even if the mother only feels mildly ill, the infection can lead to miscarriages, stillbirths, or premature delivery. Then you have the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. For them, Listeria can turn into "invasive listeriosis," which means the bacteria leaves the gut and hits the bloodstream or the brain. That leads to things like meningitis or sepsis.
The Long Game of Getting Sick
Another weird thing about Listeria? The "incubation period." You could eat a contaminated carrot today and not feel a single symptom for 70 days. Most people get sick within two weeks, but that 10-week window makes it incredibly hard for doctors to track down the source of an illness unless there’s a clear recall notice like this one.
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How the Contamination Happened
Pennsylvania inspectors were the ones who sounded the alarm. They did some routine sampling at a distributor and found the bacteria in the "finished product." That’s a fancy way of saying the veggies were already bagged and ready for your dinner table.
Endico Potatoes Inc. acted pretty fast. They stopped distribution immediately and started working with the FDA to find the "root cause." Usually, in these types of facilities, the problem isn't the vegetables themselves coming from the field. It’s often something in the processing plant—a piece of equipment that wasn't cleaned properly or a floor drain that became a breeding ground.
As of right now, there haven't been any reported illnesses tied specifically to this batch. That’s the best-case scenario for a recall. It means the system worked. They caught it before people started ending up in the ER.
What You Should Do Right Now
Check your freezer. Seriously.
If you find a bag that matches those lot codes, do not open it. Do not "cook it extra long" to kill the germs. While heat does kill Listeria, the risk of cross-contamination in your kitchen isn't worth it. You touch the bag, then you touch the counter, then you make a sandwich—suddenly, the bacteria is everywhere.
The game plan is simple:
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- Return it: Take the bag back to where you bought it. Most stores are obligated to give you a full refund for recalled items.
- Toss it: If you don't want to deal with the hassle, throw it away in a sealed trash bag so no animals (or curious pets) get into it.
- Sanitize: If the bag was sitting directly on your freezer shelf, wipe that shelf down with a diluted bleach solution. Remember, Listeria loves cold damp places.
If you’ve already eaten some and you’re feeling fine, don't panic. Just keep an eye on how you feel over the next few weeks. If you start running a high fever or get a stiff neck, call your doctor and specifically mention the Endico recall.
Practical Steps for Food Safety
Moving forward, this recall is a good reminder to keep your fridge and freezer clean. Spills from meat juices or old produce can harbor bacteria that stick around for a long time.
Keep an eye on the FDA’s recall list every now and then. It’s not just about vegetables; it’s cheeses, deli meats, and even ice cream. Being a little "food-safety conscious" doesn't mean being paranoid; it just means not letting a bag of peas ruin your month.
If you have specific questions about the products you bought, you can actually call the company directly. Endico Potatoes Inc. has a customer service line at 1-800-431-1398. They’re usually available during standard business hours to help clarify if your specific bag is part of the mess.
Stay safe and check those labels. It takes thirty seconds and saves a whole lot of trouble.