If you have bought a layer dip containing guacamole at Costco recently, you might want to not eat it and take it back to the store for a refund.  Fresh Food Concepts, a Buena Park, California company, has issued a voluntary recall for several of its layer dips sold through Costco, Vons, Pavillions, and other supermarkets across the US and Canada.  These dips were sold under various names: Fresh Food Concepts, Rojo’s, Delicioso, and Signature Cafe.

The problem with the layer dips is the guacamole, which may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Also, pregnant women can have complications, including miscarriages, if they are infected.  However, for normal, healthy adults Listeria may lead to only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.  Not that even those short-term symptoms sound like something I’d want to experience, so, certainly if in doubt, don’t eat it!

The possible contamination was discovered during a routine sampling program by the FDA which revealed that the imported avocado pulp used in these dips contained the Listeria bacteria.  The company has now ceased the use of avocado from that supplier.  If your dip has an expiration date of “USE BY 09/24/11″ or after, it was made with avocado from a different source and is NOT involved in this recall. No other products made by Fresh Food Concepts have been contaminated and are not subject to this recall.

List of Recalled Products:

Consumers who have purchased a recalled product are urged to return it to the store where they purchased it for a full refund or destroy it. Consumers with questions may contact Fresh Food Concepts at 1-714-562-5000 ext 134, Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM PDT.

You can view the full recall notice through the Costco.com website.