ISU food science expert and assistant professor Angela Shaw is urging consumers to throw away fruit affected by a recall of peaches, nectarines, plums and pluots from California-based Wawona Packing Co.

The recall covers food shipped by the company between June 1 and July 12. Wawona sells produce to several major retailers including Costco, Wal-Mart, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, said Shaw according to a news release by ISU News Service.

The fruit has been recalled because of possible Listeria monocytogenes bacterial contamination. Listeria is a serious infection that can cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches, fever and diarrhea, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Brent Smittcamp, president of Wawona Packing Co. said in an official statement that the company is not aware of any illnesses related to the recalled fruit.

“By taking the precautionary step of recalling product, we will minimize even the slightest risk to public health, and that is our priority,” Smittcamp said in a statement.

Shaw said the bacteria may be on the inside or outside of the peach, so washing them will not guarantee safety and they should be thrown away. 

“The likelihood of these peaches reaching Iowa is about 100 percent,” Shaw said. “In fact, stores have been calling consumers to bring back their peaches.”

Listeria can cause miscarriages in pregnant women and most strongly affects newborns and older adults, according to the CDC.

Wawona Packing Co. shut down the affected facility and sanitized its equipment. Daily tests have been negative for Listeria monocytogenes since.