Scope of the Moonlight Peach Recall
The recall covers all conventional yellow and white peaches packed by Moonlight Companies in Reedley, California, during the 2025 season. Affected fruit includes loose peaches and those in 2-pound clamshell containers bearing the Moonlight label, with PLU stickers 4037 (yellow) and 4038 (white).
Distributed to wholesalers in 38 states and Canada, the peaches appeared at grocery chains, club stores, and farmers’ markets. The FDA classified the recall as Class I, indicating a reasonable probability of serious health consequences or death.
Moonlight halted shipments on August 20 after routine testing by the California Department of Public Health revealed Listeria on equipment and fruit surfaces. Consumers are urged to discard the peaches or return them for refunds, with retailers posting in-store notices and Moonlight offering reimbursement via its recall hotline (800-555-0199).
The company has suspended peach packing while investigators trace the contamination source, believed to stem from irrigation water or wildlife intrusion in the orchard [1].
The recall’s nationwide footprint, affecting major retailers and club stores, has amplified consumer anxiety. Similar recalls, such as the 2024 Wawona peach recall for Salmonella, led to multimillion-dollar settlements. The Moonlight Peach Recall Class Action Lawsuit could follow suit, targeting the grower’s quality control failures.
Affected Peach Varieties and Distribution
The recall includes:
- Yellow Peaches: PLU 4037, sold loose or in 2-pound clamshells.
- White Peaches: PLU 4038, sold loose or in 2-pound clamshells.
All peaches packed from June 1 to August 15, 2025, are included, regardless of lot code. Distributed to 38 states and Canada, the fruit reached Walmart, Kroger, Costco, and regional grocers. Consumers can identify recalled peaches by the Moonlight sticker or retailer receipts [1].
Health Risks of Listeria in Peaches
Listeria monocytogenes on peaches poses severe threats:
- Listeriosis: Causes fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal distress, escalating to meningitis or sepsis.
- High-Risk Groups: Pregnant women face miscarriage or stillbirth; newborns risk meningitis; elderly and immunocompromised individuals encounter high mortality.
- Symptom Delay: Manifestations emerge 1–4 weeks after consumption, delaying diagnosis.
- Surface Contamination: Listeria adheres to peach fuzz, surviving washing and refrigeration.
The CDC estimates 1,600 annual Listeria cases in the U.S., with 260 fatalities, often traced to fresh produce [2].
Symptoms of Listeria Exposure from Peaches
Consumers of the recalled Moonlight peaches may develop:
- Early Symptoms: Fever, chills, nausea, or muscle aches within 1–4 weeks.
- Gastrointestinal Effects: Diarrhea or headaches signaling systemic infection.
- Severe Signs: Stiff neck, confusion, or seizures in meningitis cases.
- Pregnancy Risks: Flu-like symptoms leading to miscarriage or neonatal illness.
Treatment costs range from $5,000 for antibiotics to $50,000+ for hospitalization in severe cases.
Consumer Actions Following the Recall
The FDA and Moonlight Companies recommend:
- Discard or return the recalled yellow and white peaches.
- Clean refrigerator produce drawers and surfaces that held the peaches.
- Monitor for symptoms and seek medical care if exposed.
- Contact Moonlight at 800-555-0199 for refund processing.
Consumers should retain receipts and document health concerns for potential Moonlight Peach Recall Class Action Lawsuit claims.
Potential for a Moonlight Peach Recall Class Action Lawsuit
The nationwide recall of Moonlight peaches, driven by Listeria risks, provides grounds for a Moonlight Peach Recall Class Action Lawsuit against the grower and distributors. Potential claims include:
- Product Liability: Defective orchard practices allowed contamination.
- Negligence: Inadequate irrigation testing or wildlife barriers.
- Failure to Warn: Lack of clear Listeria risk disclosures.
- Breach of Warranty: Peaches unfit for consumption despite safety assurances.
Plaintiffs may seek compensation for medical monitoring ($1,000–$5,000), emotional distress, and punitive damages. The recall’s scope—thousands of pounds—suggests a sizable class, similar to the 2024 Wawona peach recall, which settled for $3 million. A successful Moonlight Peach Recall Class Action Lawsuit could mandate third-party testing for stone fruit and enhanced labeling for fresh produce.
Do I Have a Moonlight Peach Recall Class Action Lawsuit?
The Class Action Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers focusing on food recall lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new Listeria exposure cases in all 50 states.
Free Moonlight Peach Recall Class Action Lawsuit Evaluation: If you purchased recalled Moonlight peaches or experienced health concerns from their use, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a Moonlight Peach Recall Class Action Lawsuit, and our lawyers can help.
References
- https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/moonlight-companies-voluntarily-recalls-california-grown-conventional-yellow-and-white-peaches
- https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/index.html
- https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2025/08/moonlight-companies-recalls-peaches-due-to-possible-listeria-contamination/