HOMER (WWJ) - State officials have issued a warning to consumers after a southern Michigan farm was found allegedly using human waste on their fields.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said Kuntry Gardens of Homer violated multiple state and federal regulations and laws after a routine safety inspection found the farm was using "raw, untreated human waste on the fields where produce was grown for sale to local grocery stores and direct sale."
According to officials, affected produce on the property was immediately seized and "is working with the farm to oversee disposition and corrective action."
In addition to being sold on the farm, Kuntry Gardens supplies produce to grocery chains across Michigan, including:
• Busch’s Fresh Food Market stores in Ann Arbor, Brighton, Canton, Clinton, Dexter, Farmington Hills, Livonia, Novi, Pinckney, Plymouth-Northville, Rochester Hills, Saline, South Lyon, Tecumseh and West Bloomfield
• Simply Fresh Market, 7300 Grand River, Brighton
• White Lotus, 7217 W. Liberty, Ann Arbor
• Argus Farm Stop, 325 W. Liberty, Ann Arbor
• Agricole Farm Stop, 118 N. Main, Chelsea
• Pure Pastures, 1192 Ann Arbor, Plymouth
• Ypsilanti Coop, 312 North River, Ypsilanti
• Greener Pastures Market, 21202 Pontiac Trail, South Lyon
• Holiday Market, 520 S. Lilley, Canton Township
• Cherry Capitol, Traverse City
Bush's issued a recall on the affected produce and said they have discarded all items supplied by Kuntry Gardens.
"Busch’s Fresh Food Market regrets to announce that one of their Local partners, Kuntry Gardens, was cited by the Michigan Department of Agriculture for violating food safety standards," a statement released by the food chain said. "Busch’s is asking all Guests to check recent purchases based on the list of produce below and immediately discard these products."
The store said customers can check for KUNTRY GARDENS on their receipt or MyWay accounts. A full refund will be provided on any produce purchased since August 1, 2022.
The affected items through Busch's via PLU Supplier Description include:
73334 KUNTRY GARDENS ORGANIC BEANS GREEN
74557 KUNTRY GARDENS ORGANIC CABBAGE GREEN
74062 KUNTRY GARDENS ORGANIC CUCUMBERS
74083 KUNTRY GARDENS ORGANIC EGGPLANT
78238 KUNTRY GARDENS ORGANIC ONIONS RED
78243 KUNTRY GARDENS ORGANIC ONIONS YELLOW
74065 KUNTRY GARDENS ORGANIC PEPPERS GREEN
74397 KUNTRY GARDENS ORGANIC PEPPERS LUNCHBOX
74769 KUNTRY GARDENS ORGANIC PEPPERS POBLANO
74170 KUNTRY GARDENS ORGANIC PEPPERS RED SWEET
74067 KUNTRY GARDENS ORGANIC SQUASH ZUCCHINI
74750 KUNTRY GARDENS ORGANIC SQUASH ACORN
74759 KUNTRY GARDENS ORGANIC SQUASH BUTTERNUT
74776 KUNTRY GARDENS ORGANIC SQUASH SPAGHETTI
74088 KUNTRY GARDENS ORGANIC SQUASH YELLOW
74091 KUNTRY GARDENS ORGANIC SWEET POTATOES
73423 KUNTRY GARDENS ORGANIC TOMATOES HEIRLOOM
74169 KUNTRY GARDENS ORGANIC TOMATOES ROMA
74560 KUNTRY GARDENS ORGANIC TOMATOES SUNGOLD
73151 KUNTRY GARDENS ORGANIC TOMATOES VINE
Busch's said Kuntry Gardens makes up one half of one percent of their produce -- while the impacts are low, the store said they are in direct communication with customers who purchased the farm's items.
So far, MDARD said no illnesses from the contaminated produce have been reported to date.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of foodborne illness including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice or yellowing of the skin, fever, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, weakness, or headache has been advised to seek medical attention.
"If not treated professionally, human waste and other body fluids can spread dangerous infectious diseases such as hepatitis A, Clostridium difficile, E coli, rotavirus and norovirus," department officials added.
Consumers with further concerns or questions can call MDARD at 1-800-292-3939 Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.