Food Safety Alert: Pear products recalled due to lead concerns

W.W. Industrial Group’s Parashore Pear Slices are involved in a national recall. The food is being recalled due to a potential contamination with elevated levels of lead and cadmium. The products were distributed through Grocery Outlet stores nationwide and may have been sold in Mesa County. To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection to this product.

Description of recalled products

• 15oz can labeled as PARASHORE Pear Slices in Juice.
• The products have the UPC number 704817164237 and best by date of 2/19/2027.

What consumers should do

• Consumers should check their pantries for the recalled products and throw them out or return them to the store for a refund.
• Visit the Food and Drug Administration website for more information.
• Contact a doctor if you have concerns after eating the recalled products.
• Contact the company at 516-676-9188 with questions about the recalled products.

Lead and cadmium description 

• Lead and cadmium are toxic substances present in our environment in small amounts, which does not pose a significant health concern. 
• However, exposure to larger amounts of lead and cadmium can cause poisoning.
• Symptoms can include abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, delirium, seizures, and coma.
• Infants, young children, and developing fetuses can be affected by chronic exposure to amounts of heavy metals that may not result in obvious symptoms of lead poisoning.
• A child with heavy metal poisoning may not look or act sick. Heavy metal poisoning in children can cause learning disabilities, developmental delays, and lower IQ scores.

MCPH role in food recalls

There are systems in place to make sure the food people buy and eat is safe. When Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) has been made aware of a product being recalled that could have been distributed in Mesa County, MCPH shares the information so it reaches as many community members as possible.