The serious infection-causing bacteria Listeria monocytogenes is one of the most common disease-causing microbes in humans. Being found mainly in soil, water, decaying vegetation, and contaminated food, this bacterium contains the potential to grow at even refrigeration temperatures, which is highly unusual for bacteria.
While Listeria typically finds its way into humans through contaminated food and other doorways such as unpasteurized soft cheeses, ready-to-eat meals, smoked seafood, fruits and vegetables, and raw sprouts, the symptoms usually appear 14 weeks after exposure and range between mild and severe. Commonly, fevers, chills, muscle aches, nausea or diarrhea, headaches, stiff necks, and confusion (in severe cases) can be seen in this particular bacterium case. While mild symptoms typically affect healthy adults, the young and elderly often experience deadly signs.
Large grocery chains such as Walmart, Kroger, and Trader Joe’s recently, under unfortunate circumstances, had a displeasing encounter with this pesticide-like bacterium.
The Moonlight Companies’ peaches were recently found to be contaminated with Listeria, and a recall has been issued for peaches sold across the country, the FDA announced on Thursday, October 30th, 2025.
The bacteria found in the peaches’ packaging facility later on prompted Moonlight Companies to pull their California-grown white and yellow peaches from large enterprises such as Walmart, Kroger, Target, and Trader Joe’s, as they too have a high chance of being contaminated with this catastrophic bacterium. However, thankfully, no illnesses have been reported.
The peaches were manufactured in California and only affect white and yellow peaches, both sold as individual pieces of fruit bearing PLU stickers and simultaneously sold in multipacks. The Peppermint peach (white peach) and Kroger yellow peach multipacks were also added to the recall. Additionally, Kroger issued a recall for certain containers of its Snowfruit Peach Salsa and Supreme Produce Peach Salsa due to potential Listeria contamination.
The recall does not cover packages or items with a PLU sticker containing the words “Washington” or “Organic.”
The peaches were sold at the said stores nationwide between September 16 and October 29, 2025, though depending on the state, there were varying stores keeping them available.
Consumers who purchased these peaches should immediately check if they are under recall; if they are, they should throw them away instead of consuming them.
In case any such peaches were ingested; it was advised that a healthcare professional should be consulted immediately. If an individual is not experiencing any symptoms, they should still be monitored, as such signs can take weeks and sometimes up to 70 days to appear.
To pay attention to those mostly at risk, one can identify pregnant women, young children, the elderly, cancer patients, or anyone with a frail immune system or at high risk for serious illnesses. While infected, pregnant women may initially only experience mild flu-like symptoms; however,this infectious bacterium, pregnant women could have a chance of going into premature delivery or having their newborn develop an infection, and sometimes even drastic outcomes such as stillbirths have been occurrences associated with Listeria.
By cooking all meats, poultry, and seafood thoroughly; practicing safe food handling practices; avoiding high-risk foods for vulnerable groups; keeping foods refrigerated properly; and staying informed about recalls by the FDA, CDC, or local authorities, Listeria can be avoided to the greatest extent.
While Listeria contamination can pose serious risks, staying informed and taking simple precautions can keep you and your loved ones safe. Awareness is the best defense against this hidden threat lurking even in everyday foods like peaches.
