Season's Choice Strawberries
Season's Choice is a popular brand of frozen strawberries and fruit products. Their strawberries can be found in many major grocery retailers. But recent recalls impacting the frozen fruit industry have consumers concerned about listeria risks.
About Season's Choice
The Season's Choice brand is an owned label of Meijer grocery stores. So their frozen fruits and vegetables are primarily sold at Meijer locations across the Midwest United States.
Other large retailers have also sold rebranded versions of Season's Choice items, often under their own private label. So you may find packages bearing the Season's Choice name at:
- Walmart
- Kroger
- Target
- Aldi
This allows the company to distribute products more widely under different store nametags.
Why Seasons Choice for Frozen Fruit?
Frozen fruits and vegetables are often picked and packed at peak ripeness then quickly individually quick frozen (IQF) to lock in nutrients. The Season's Choice brand focuses on high standards for consistent quality.
Benefits their frozen strawberries offer include:
- Picked and frozen within hours to preserve freshness
- Individually fast frozen to avoid clumping
- Sourced from select verified growers
- No added preservatives, flavors or colors
- Resealable airtight heavier duty packaging
For budget friendly frozen fruit easily stored for smoothies, baking, and snacks, Season's Choice aims to deliver wholesome quality and value. Their strawberries check the boxes for nutritious convenience when fresh berries are out of season in your area.
Are Season's Choice Strawberries Affected by Recent Recalls?
Consumer health and safety are top priorities for reputable food producers like Season's Choice. So they continually evaluate processes for potential contamination risks.
Frozen Fruit Listeria Concerns
Unlike harmful bacteria like E. coli or salmonella, the listeria germ can actually continue slowly multiplying at frozen food temperatures. So when frozen fruit items are eventually thawed by consumers before eating, any pathogens have had time to substantially grow.
This makes control of listeria critical at the processing level before freezing. Otherwise, recalled products can cause listeriosis outbreaks. And vulnerable populations may develop the severe infection by handling and ingesting contaminated fruit.
Have Seasons Choice Strawberries Been Recalled Recently?
So far there have been no public alerts or recalls specifically involving Seasons Choice branded frozen strawberries in relation to listeria or other safety issues.
However other frozen fruit items and facility co-packers have initiated recalls possibly impacting products sold under the Seasons Choice name at some retailers:
- Walmart Marketside frozen blackberries (June 2022)
- Aldi Simply Nature frozen mixed berries (July 2022)
- AWG frozen berries, mangoes, blends (August 2022)
Check with customer service at your grocery chain to inquire if their Seasons Choice berries could be affected based on supplier details.
Evaluating Seasons Choice Strawberry Packaging and Labels
Checking your own Seasons Choice frozen strawberry bags or boxes at home is another vital safety step. Look for key pieces of information.
Manufacturer Details
Seasons Choice packaging clearly names Meijer Inc. as the product owner. There may also be codes identifying specific packing locations and dates that could reference impacted facilities.
Ingredient Statements
Check that your items ingredient listing simply declares strawberries without mentions of other fruit types recently recalled like blackberries or raspberries.
Allergen Warnings
Listeria concerns center around contamination risks. But food allergies can also cause life threatening reactions. So always note advisory statements on common allergens like milk, eggs, nuts, wheat etc.
Safe Handling Instructions
Frozen berries from all brands require careful handling at home as well to avoid introducing new bacteria. Follow label guidance:
- Store frozen below 0F
- Never thaw/refreeze
- Wash hands before and after handling
- Do not eat packaging
Expiration Dates
Check freshness dates on Seasons Choice frozen fruit as well. While freezing can preserve strawberries past printed dates, peak quality and nutrition decline over longer storage. Discard severely out of date products.
What If My Frozen Berries Are Recalled?
If Seasons Choice frozen strawberries or related products end up recalled due to contamination issues, consumers must take prompt action.
Discard Affected Items
First, check recall notices and communicate with the retailer or manufacturer to verify if your specific purchase is included. If so, throw away recalled frozen strawberries or fruit mixes right away or return them to the store.
Save All Labels/Receipts
Keep all packaging showing production codes and the original receipt for a recalled item. This facilitates consumer reimbursement offers, exchanges, or refunds.
Sanitize Storage Areas
Germs from contaminated containers can spread easily to freezer walls, surrounding packages etc. So disinfect your freezer inside after discarding recalled products.
Watch for Symptoms if Eaten
If you consumed any of the recalled frozen fruit before being alerted, monitor carefully for fever, stiff neck, nausea and diarrhea. Seek medical care and mention possible listeria exposure if concerned.
Enjoying Seasons Choice Strawberries Safely
When proper handling, testing, and recall protocols are followed, frozen fruit remains a convenient healthy choice for modern life. Follow best practices and check communications to enjoy Seasons Choice strawberries safely.
Select sound unopened packages within expiration dates, labelled from facilities not implicated in recent alerts. Carefully thaw and prepare berries as guided. And incorporate them along with fresh produce into regular balanced meals and snacks for your household.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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