In late October 2025, Moonlight Companies initiated a voluntary recall of certain California-grown conventional yellow and white peaches after Listeria monocytogenes was detected in the packing facility environment during an FDA inspection.
This action was taken out of caution, as no illnesses have been reported in connection with these peaches.
The recall affects products sold nationwide at major retailers, including Trader Joe’s, Kroger, Walmart, and Sam’s Club, between September 16 and October 29, 2025.
The contamination risk stems from the bacterium’s presence in the facility, prompting immediate steps to protect consumers.
Affected Products and Distribution Details
The recalled peaches are conventional (non-organic) yellow and white varieties grown in California. They were distributed to stores in 20 states—Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and Vermont—plus Washington, D.C. Specifically at Trader Joe’s, the recall targets Moonlight Yellow Peaches sold in two-pound bags or individually from September 24 to October 28.
Key product variations include:
- Individual yellow or white peaches (sold loose).
- Multipacks under the Moonlight brand for yellow peaches.
- Multipacks under the Moonlight brand for white peaches, including those labeled “Peppermint Peach.”
- Multipacks of yellow peaches under the Kroger brand.
Importantly, this recall does not apply to peaches labeled as “Organic” or originating from “Washington,” as these are sourced differently and unaffected.
How to Identify Recalled Peaches: What to Look For
To determine if your peaches are part of the recall, inspect the packaging and labels carefully:
- PLU Stickers on Individual Peaches: Look for codes 4044 or 4401. Additionally, check for the facility code “P1” if present.
- UPCs on Multipacks:
- Moonlight Yellow Peaches: 8 10248 03165 6 or 8 98429 00209 1.
- Moonlight White Peaches: 8 10248 03163 2 or 8 98429 00209 1.
- Moonlight White Peaches (“Peppermint Peach”): 8 98429 00266 4, 8 10248 03163 2, 8 10248 03087 1, or 8 10248 03186 1.
- Kroger Yellow Peaches: 11110 18174.
- Lot Codes (printed on stickers or packaging): 01PCLC, 03PCAF, 106PCLF, 113PCAF, 113PCLF, 129PCLF, 134PCLF, 142PCLF, 150PCLF, 151PCLF, 159PCABA, 159PCABB, 159PCPG10, 20, 22PCAB, 22PCPG10A, 22PCPG10B, 22PCP8A, 22PCPG8B, 22PCPG8C, 23, 25, 30PCEN, 40LT, 40YP#3, 44PCLC, 44PCLCB, 45, 51PCLC, 51PCLCB, 86PCAF, 69PWPR, 79PWPRT.
If your peaches match any of these identifiers and were purchased within the specified dates, they are likely recalled. Images of the affected products and labels are available on the FDA’s recall announcement page for visual reference.
What Consumers Should Do: Immediate Actions
If you have purchased or possess any of the recalled peaches, take the following steps to minimize risk:
- Do Not Consume: Avoid eating the peaches, even if they appear fresh or have no visible signs of spoilage, as Listeria can survive in refrigerated conditions.
- Dispose or Return: Throw away the peaches securely (double-bag them to prevent wildlife access) or return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. At Trader Joe’s, customers can return Moonlight Yellow Peaches directly to any location.
- Clean Affected Areas: Sanitize any surfaces, refrigerators, or containers that may have come into contact with the peaches to prevent cross-contamination.
- Monitor Health: If you have already consumed the peaches, watch for symptoms of listeriosis over the next few weeks. Seek medical attention promptly if any signs appear, and inform your healthcare provider about potential exposure.
For questions about the recall, contact Moonlight Companies at 855-215-5017, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
Health Risks and Symptoms of Listeriosis
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that poses greater risks to certain groups, including young children, adults aged 65 and older, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems. In healthy people, it may lead to short-term illness, but it can be fatal in vulnerable populations and may cause miscarriages or stillbirths in pregnant women.
Common symptoms include:
- High fever
- Severe headache
- Muscle stiffness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
Symptoms can appear within a few days to two months after exposure. If you experience any of these, consult a healthcare professional immediately.
Separate Listeria Recall Involving Trader Joe’s
In an unrelated incident, Trader Joe’s and other retailers like Walmart have also recalled various frozen pasta meals due to Listeria contamination from a different supplier, Nate’s Fine Foods. This recall affects products such as Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo with “best if used by” dates from September 20 to October 10, 2025, and similar items sold nationwide. Unlike the peach recall, this one has been linked to illnesses, including six deaths and a fetal loss across 18 states since August 2024.
To identify these:
- Check for specific “best by” dates and product names like chicken fettuccine Alfredo, meatball linguine, or shrimp scampi.
- Discard or return immediately; do not consume.
Symptoms and risks mirror those of listeriosis described above. For details, refer to FDA and CDC updates. This highlights the importance of vigilance with refrigerated and frozen foods during ongoing Listeria concerns.
