At the time of this release, the potential pathogen was found on processing equipment, most likely a food contact surface. One would guess that extensive testing is being completed to see if there are product positive samples.
Historically, fruits were considered low risk because of their acidic nature. But sliced fruit products such as tomatoes, apples and melons, at the least, will support survival, and if conditions are right, can support growth of Listeria. In a study by Conway etal (link below), Listeria did grow on apple slices when those slices were stored at temperatures above refrigeration temperature. Two issues here would be that product is often purchased for children, and the potential for storage at elevated temperatures by the consumer.
FDA Recall News Release
Missa Bay, LLC Announces Voluntary Recall Of Fruit, Vegetable, and Sandwich Products Containing Apples Because of Possible Health Risk
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm315249.htm
Contact
Consumer
1‐800‐800‐7822
Media
Tristan Simpson
Corporate Communications
626‐678‐2055
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 10, 2012 - Missa Bay, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ready Pac Foods, Inc., of Swedesboro, New Jersey is voluntarily recalling a total of 293,488 cases and 296,224 individually distributed units of fruit, vegetable, and sandwich products containing apples, as listed below, with the Use‐by dates of July 8, 2012 through August 20, 2012 because they contain diced or sliced apples which may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious or life‐threatening food borne illness in a person who eats a food item contaminated with it. Symptoms of infection may include fever, muscle aches, gastro intestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. The illness primarily impacts pregnant women and adults with weakened immune systems. Most healthy adults and children rarely become seriously ill.
The recalled products were produced and distributed from the Missa Bay, LLC facility to retailers and foodservice operators in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Washington D.C., Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
This recall notification is being issued due to finding Listeria monocytogenes on equipment used by Missa Bay, LLC to produce apple products. Missa Bay, LLC is coordinating closely with regulatory officials. No illnesses have been reported in association with this voluntary recall.
Only the specific products identified in the list below are included in the recall. Retailers and foodservice operators should check their inventories and store shelves to confirm that none of the product is present or available for purchase by consumers or in warehouse inventories.
Consumers who may have purchased the affected product are asked to record the Use‐by date and/or UPC code number, immediately dispose of the product, and contact the Ready Pac Consumer Affairs Department, toll‐free at (800) 800‐7822, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific Time) to obtain a full refund. Please visit our website at www.readypac.com1 2 for a copy of the release.
Ready Pac Foods, Inc. has earned an outstanding safety record for over 40 years and has taken immediate precautionary measures to protect public health by issuing this voluntary recall. Ready Pac customer service representatives have already contacted all customers impacted and are in the process of confirming that the recalled products are not in the stream of commerce. Consumers with questions may contact Ready Pac directly at 1‐800‐800‐7822 M‐F 8am‐5pm PDT.
Missa Bay, LLC August 10, 2012 Precautionary Voluntary Recall
Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Washington D.C., Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
Product Descripton
|
Use-by-dates
|
UPCode
|
BK Fresh Apple Slices, 2oz, “Burger King” label
|
On or before August 13
|
n/a
|
Snack Pac Apples & Caramel, 4oz, "Hannaford"
label
|
On or before August 18
|
4126817191
|
Snack Pac Apples, Granola & Yogurt, 4.3oz,
"Hannaford" label
|
On or before August 18
|
4126817195
|
Apple Slices, 1.2oz, “McDonalds” label
(ONLY in the following states: CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ , NY, PA, RI , VT) On or before August 19 n/a |
On or before August 19
|
n/a
|
Diced Apples for Fruit & Maple Oatmeal, 0.92oz,
“McDonalds” label (ONLY in the following states: CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ , NY, PA,
RI , VT)
|
On or before August 19
|
n/a
|
Fruit & Walnut Snack, 5.75oz, “McDonalds” label
|
On or before August 20
|
n/a
|
Apple Blue Pecan bistro, 4.75oz, "Ready Pac" label
|
On or before August 12
|
7774529497
|
Fruit Frenzy, 32oz, "Ready Pac" label
|
On or before August 18
|
7774523086
|
Fruit Tray Bien, 32oz, “Ready Pac” label
|
On or before August 18
|
7774521606
|
Ready Snax Apples, Cheese with Caramel Dip, 4oz,
"Ready Pac" label
|
On or before August 18
|
7774523896
|
Ready Snax Apples, Celery, Raisins with Peanut Butter,
4oz, "Ready Pac" label
|
On or before August 18
|
7774523897
|
Ready Snax Apples, Granola & Yogurt, 4.3oz,
"Ready Pac" label
|
On or before August 18
|
7774523086
|
Super Fruit Blend, 6oz, "Ready Pac" label
|
On or before August 17
|
7774521606
|
Super Fruit Medley, 10.5oz, "Ready Pac" label
|
On or before August 16
|
7774523896
|
Sweet Sunshine Platter, 37oz, "Ready Pac" label
|
On or before August 16
|
7774523897
|
Apple, Blue Cheese & Pecan Complete Salad Kit, 8.75oz,
"Safeway Farms" label
|
On or before August 18
|
7774523089
|
Apple Caramel Dipper, 6.7oz, "Wawa" label
|
On or before August 16
|
7774523076
|
Apple Peanut Butter Dipper, 6.5oz, "Wawa" label
|
On or before August 15
|
7774523746
|
Apple Slices, 3.5oz, "Wawa" label
|
On or before August 16
|
7774524204
|
Baby Carrots, 3oz, "Wawa” label
|
On or before August 16
|
2113033680 |
Chicken Salad Snack, 6.7oz, "Wawa" label
|
On or before August 12
|
2619100394
|
Chicken Salad Sandwich, 7.8oz, "Wawa" label
|
On or before August 10
|
2619100268 |
Fruit & Cheese, 6oz, "Wawa" label
|
On or before August 11
|
2619102232
|
Protein Power Pack, 7.8oz, "Wawa" label
|
On or before August 11
|
2619102517
|
Red Grapes, 3oz, "Wawa" Label
|
On or before August 13
|
2619102760
|
Turkey & Cheese Sandwich, 7.7oz, "Wawa"
label
|
On or before August 10
|
2619105670
|
Apples, Celery, Raisins & Peanut Butter, 4oz,
"Wegmans" label
|
On or before August 18
|
2619102567
|
Apples, Cheese & Caramel Dip, 4oz, "Wegmans"
label
|
On or before August 15
|
2619102565
|
Apples, Granola & Low Fat Vanilla Yogurt, 4.3oz,
"Wegmans" label
|
On or before August 18
|
2619102518
|
Instructions for Consumers:
Check your refrigerator for the above listed products with the Use‐By dates July 8, 2012 through August 20, 2012. The location of the Use‐by date and UPCode varies by product.
Consumers who may have purchased the affected product are asked to record the Use‐By date and/or UPC code number, immediately dispose of the product, and contact the Ready Pac Consumer Affairs Department, toll‐free at (800) 800‐7822, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific Time) to obtain a full refund. Please visit our website at www.readypac.com3 for a copy of the release.
Instructions to Retailers:
Retailers should check their inventories and store shelves to confirm that none of the product is present or available for purchase by consumers or in warehouse inventories. Ready Pac customer service representatives have already contacted retailers and are in the process of confirming that the recalled products are not in the stream of commerce. Customers with questions may contact Ready Pac directly at 1‐800‐800‐4088 x2900 M‐F 7am‐5pm PDT.
Apple slices recalled due to listeria danger
USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/story/2012-08-10/apple-slices-recall-listeria/56948352/1
WASHINGTON (AP)–Sliced apples distributed to fast-food and grocery chains across the country are among packaged products being recalled due to possible listeria contamination
No illnesses have been reported, but listeria was found on equipment used to produce apple products by Missa Bay LLC, owned by Ready Pac Foods Inc. of Swedesboro, N.J.
Packaged apple slices distributed to McDonald's and Burger King in some states are included in the recall, as are some packaged fruit, veggies, salads and sandwiches containing apples distributed to Wawa convenience store and Wegman's grocery chains, as well as various apple and fruit snacks with "Ready Pac" labels and apple salad kits with a "Safeway Farms" label.
The recalled snacks have use-by dates of July 8 through Aug. 20, the company said. People should check their refrigerators for products with those use-by dates, the company said, and it asked retailers to check store shelves and inventories to make sure none of the packages are there.
Missa Bay announced the voluntary recall on Friday, saying a total of 293,488 cases and 296,224 individual units went to 36 states and the District of Columbia. People who may have purchased the recalled products are asked to record use-by dates and UPC codes and contact Ready Pac at 800-800-7822. More information on the more than two dozen products recalled and the states involved is available on the company's website at www.readypac.com.
Listeria is a bacteria that causes food poisoning and is especially dangerous to pregnant women. While a pregnant woman may experience mild, flu-like symptoms, the illness caused by listeria can lead to miscarriage, premature delivery or life-threatening infection in newborns.
Symptoms in people besides pregnant women can include fever and muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.
An outbreak of listeria in cantaloupes last year was linked to 30 deaths and one report of a pregnant woman who had a miscarriage while she was sick.
Survival and Growth of Listeria monocytogenes on Fresh-Cut Apple Slices and Its Interaction with Glomerella cingulata and Penicillium expansum
Conway etal (2000) Plant Disease Vol 84 No. 2 pg 177
http://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/pdf/10.1094/PDIS.2000.84.2.177
"Although L. monocytogenes can grow on apple slices, the population of the bacterium will not increase if the temperature at which the slices are stored is low enough. Therefore, even if the fresh-cut fruit does become contaminated with the bacterium, the potential for any possible harm to the consumer will be minimized if the fruit is kept at the recommended refrigeration temperature of 4°C."
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