Why Your Favorite Trader Joe’s Treats Could Be Your Last

By Sarah Doyle

On Dec. 2, 2019, Trader Joe’s all around the country recalled items from their food departments. Recalls are not common unless something is serious, and in the case of Trader Joe’s goods, listeria could be the culprit.

Several products including easy ready-to-eat meals like California Rolls, Tempura Shrimp Crunch Rolls, Smoked Salmon Philly Roll, Tofu Spring Rolls, Classic California Rolls with Brown Rice, Smoked Salmon Poké Bowl, the ever-iconic Banh Mi Inspired Noodle Bowl, and most shockingly, the Queso Fundido Spicy Cheese Dip were all recalled upon examination for possible contamination with listeria.

These problems have been traced back to an issue at a facility in Massachutts from the Fuji Food manufacturer that supplied products not only for Trader Joes, but also for stores such as 7-Eleven, Food Lion, Walgreens, Porky, Supreme Lobster, and Superior Foods. These stores will also be issuing similar warnings about possible problems with their food and affected products.

This is a momentous occasion as it is the first recall from the Massachusetts supplier in Trader Joe’s history. In the meantime, the facility has closed down until further examination from the FDA gives them the green light for resuming regular activities and production.

Fortunately, those people, who have already purchased these products and were lucky to have not consumed them in the parking lot, can return the products to a local Trader Joe’s for full compensation. For those who consumed them, compensation will only be given in the form of a lawsuit should they contract illness from the bacteria. As of now, no cases of illness have been reported, but precautionary measures must be taken to ensure that the number stays at zero. The incubation period for listeria is anywhere from 11-70 days so statistics and more information on the reported cases will be forthcoming.

Why is Listeria Worth a Recall of Beloved Products?

Listeria is not an uncommon microbe to contract, as the bacteria is resistant to both extremely hot and cold temperatures. Unfortunately, those who are infected do not immediately notice the symptoms, if there are any at all, because those with strong immune systems and who are considered to be relatively healthy will only be minimally affected. For those who are healthy individuals, the symptoms include fever, muscle fatigue and achiness, nausea, diarrhea, and flu-like symptoms.

Those at higher risk of contracting a deadlier version of the monocytogenes are those whose immune systems have been weakened for any number of reasons. People such as pregnant women, infants, and the elderly are at a higher risk of more severe outcomes and prolonged sickness. Other problems can arise such as the infection spreading to the nervous system and causing problems with balance, headaches, confusion, stiffness of the neck, and convulsions. In cases that are even more serious, symptoms can spread to the brain with outcomes as alarming as paralysis, meningitis, or even death.

Recalls are serious, and the FDA strongly advises not consuming these listed goods from Trader Joe’s. (I’m sure their supporters are faithful in offering their support during this rough season.)

For those of the customers who did end up eating these products, there are many deadlier pathogens. Most healthy people who become infected survive this food-borne disease after a few days of illness.

Homeschooler in the Real World

Emma Folts, a sophomore at Wheaton College, shares her experience about her transition into college and how homeschool has both helped and hindered her.
How has your homeschool experience benefitted you, especially in your transition into college?
I think the one thing that homeschooling did that was really helpful as I entered college was that it taught me time management. As a homeschooler I had the same freedom as a college student has to put things off during the day and go see a friend instead. Since I had that experience, I knew the cost of that.
Also, personal responsibility and accountability with assignments. I feel like a lot of the other students had more expectations for gentler grading and that the professor would give them retakes or extensions, but that wasn’t something that ever happened to me in school. That learning curve wasn’t added because I never had it the other way. I think another thing was that because I was homeschooled, I was familiar with the format of teaching and then studying on my own.
Did you see any issues with your transition socially?
I think that homeschooling had two ramifications for me socially. One was helpful, one was hurtful.
It was really helpful because as a homeschooler, I had spent a lot of time realizing and developing who I was as a person and learning to recognize people who were being themselves, and those were the people I sought out as friends. Friendship as a homeschooler takes a lot more investment. I knew I was choosier with my friends which made me a lot less anxious and a lot more content.
The only real negative impact of the social bit was that I was really used to getting to choose the time I got to spend with people. As a homeschooler I spent a lot of time with people, but that time was controlled by me. As a college student, I found that you can’t really control the time you spend with people and alone time is not really available. Learning to deal with that was a lot harder than anticipated.
Any last comments on homeschool and how it has affected your college experience?
I think homeschooling is really helpful, however it does take a slightly increased amount of advocacy with your peers when you’re entering into college. I think a lot of people come in with certain assumptions about homeschool, especially students. You’re going to get a lot of, ‘oh my gosh, you don’t seem like a homeschooled person!’ [You can’t] take that too personally and explain your experience so that friends can understand it’s an important piece of you, though it might not look like the homeschooling that they’ve seen.
My encouragement to anyone who is a homeschooler transitioning into college is to realize the benefit that you have having been homeschooled, and to realize that the bit of advocacy and explaining that you need to do with your peers is totally normal and that it’s not a big deal. Once they understand your experience, it’s not something I’ve experienced being looked down on for.