Sliced Apples Recalled After Supplier Issued Recall of Whole Apples for Potential Listeria

Two companies are recalling sliced apple products after their supplier, Jack Brown Produce recalled whole apples for Listeria.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm590372.htm
Fresh Pak Inc. Recalls Lot Specific Sliced Apple Products Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
December 22, 2017

Produce Company Recalls Apples Due to Supplier's Positive Listeria Test Results

A Michigan produce company is recalling apples processed and shipped by one of its suppliers after  routine sampling program by that supplier revealed that finished products contained Listeria monocytogenes.

It seems that product was shipped prior to results coming back.  It is unknown whether the produce company was aware that the supplier had sampled product for testing.  It would seem that a test and hold procedure should have been in place.

FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm589722.htm
Jack Brown Produce, Inc. Recalls Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp and Golden Delicious Apples Due to Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
December 19, 2017

Store Caramel Apples At Refrigeration Temperatures

Unfortunately, we are still seeing caramel apples at retail being displayed at room temperature.  Less than two years ago, a Listeria outbreak was linked to caramel apples.  It was later determined that if those apples had been stored at refrigeration temperatures, there would not likely have been an issue.

Penn State News
http://news.psu.edu/story/490097/2017/10/24/impact/caramel-apples-stored-room-temperature-extended-periods-can-pose-risk
Caramel apples stored at room temperature for extended periods can pose risk
October 24, 2017

Growth of Listeria on Caramel Apples, not Fresh Apples

Researchers found that Listeria grew on caramel apples when inoculated on the stem end, but for fresh apples, there was no growth but only survival.  So the caramel and along with the stick help to form a microenvironment within the apple.

This is a good reason why we have not seen Listeria outbreaks associated with fresh apples.  However, since it survives, there must be controls in place for apples that will be used as an ingredient in foods that may support growth.


The Packer
http://www.thepacker.com/news/report-listeria-spreads-faster-caramel-apples-fresh-apples?
Report: listeria spreads faster on caramel apples than fresh apples
By Doug Ohlemeier May 31, 2016 | 5:15 pm EDT

Listeria proliferates faster on caramel apples than fresh apples, according to research.

Sliced Apples Recalled in Texas Due to Listeria Positive Samples

A Texas food company, Fresh From Texas, is recalling products containing sliced apples after its own testing found two Listeria monocytogenes-positive samples.  The product was sold through the food retailer HEB.  The product was sold in bags and trays, also as part of multiple fruit trays.
No illnesses have been reported.

FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm494345.htm
Fresh From Texas Recalls Apple Product Because Of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
April 5, 2016

Apples Recalled Due to Positive Screen for One of Three Pathogens

A MN firm is recalling apples because a test indicates the presence of Listeria or Salmonella or E.coli.  So basically, they don't know which because who ever did the test ran a screen which looks for indicator genes for each of the three.

The recall was probably based upon a positive reaction of the test without the isolation of the actually pathogenic organism.  This is the problem with a screen - not sure which organism or it is just a false positive result.

FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm470317.htm
Northstar Produce Inc. Recalls Granny Smith Size 175 Apples Because of Possible Health Risk

For Immediate Release  October 26, 2015

Contact Consumers Mike Abernathy 763-286-0110
Firm Press Release

Northstar Produce Inc.of St. Louis Park, MN the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and / or Enterohemorrhagic E. coli. is recalling 33 cases of Granny Smith Size 175ct apples, because a test performed on a sample of the apples indicated the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and / or Enterohemorrhagic E. coli.

Fresh Whole Apples Recalled Due to Positive Listeria Test

Del Monte Fresh Produce is recalling apples for potential Listeria contamination after a customer tested fresh apples and found a sample to be positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria has not been an issue in whole fresh apples, and would be considered low risk. But caramel apples have been linked to an outbreak and sliced apples have been recalled due to the presence of Listeria.  In a recent study, Listeria was shown to grow only minimally on whole apples with caramel (no stick) and no growth when those caramel apples (no stick) were stored at refrigeration temperatures.  Even sliced apples shows minimal growth especially at refrigeration temperatures. 



FDA Notice - Recall: Firm Press Release
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm467078.htm
Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. Inc., Recalls Limited Quantity of Fresh Apples Due to Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release October 14, 2015

Contact  ConsumersContact-US-Executive-Office@freshdelmonte.com  800-659-6500

Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc., (“Del Monte Fresh”) is initiating a voluntary recall of Granny Smith green apples because they have the potential to 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. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stuffiness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Research Findings on Listeria Growth in Caramel Apples

The Listeria outbreak associated with caramel apples has raised questions regarding how the Listeria was able to grow in an acidic fruit.  Researchers have found that inserting the stick in the apple was an important factor as well as also storing at room temperature.  So when the stick is inserted, it drives the organism into the apple, and the stick causes cellular damage to the apple, creating conditions that allow the Listeria to grow sufficiently when stored at room temperature.

It would be wise for those selling caramel apples to store them at refrigeration temperature and limit the shelf-life to less than 28 days.

The other point made by the researchers in this study is the concept of microenvironments existing at interfaces in food, in this case, the interface of stick and the apple.  When inserted, the stick changes the apple matrix enough to allow Listeria to grow.  Normally, the apple pH would be too low to support the growth of Listeria.

It is easy to overlook microenvironments that exist in food.  They can arise in multicomponent foods with particulates, in foods at the packaging interface, or in foods that allow moisture migration to surface changing the moisture content.  The interaction at these interfaces can impact preventive factors such as pH,  water activity (Aw), or preservative concentration.

 

MBio - American Society of Microbiology

http://mbio.asm.org/content/6/5/e01232-15

Growth of Listeria monocytogenes within a Caramel-Coated Apple Microenvironment

Kathleen A. Glass,  Max C. Golden,  Brandon J. Wanless,  Wendy Bedale,  Charles Czuprynski

+ Author Affiliations

Food Research Institute, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

Address correspondence to Kathleen Glass, kglass@wisc.edu.

Editor Stefan H. E. Kaufmann, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology

ABSTRACT

A 2014 multistate listeriosis outbreak was linked to consumption of caramel-coated apples, an unexpected and previously unreported vehicle for Listeria monocytogenes. This outbreak was unanticipated because both the pH of apples (<4.0) and the water activity of the caramel coating (<0.80) are too low to support Listeria growth. In this study, Granny Smith apples were inoculated with approximately 4 log10 CFU of L. monocytogenes (a cocktail of serotype 4b strains associated with the outbreak) on each apple’s skin, stem, and calyx. Half of the apples had sticks inserted into the core, while the remaining apples were left intact. Apples were dipped into hot caramel and stored at either 7°C or 25°C for up to 11 or 28 days, respectively. Data revealed that apples with inserted sticks supported significantly more L. monocytogenes growth than apples without sticks under both storage conditions. Within 3 days at 25°C, L. monocytogenes populations increased >3 log10 in apples with sticks, whereas only a 1-log10 increase was observed even after 1 week for caramel-coated apples without sticks. When stored at 7°C, apples with sticks exhibited an approximately 1.5-log10 increase in L. monocytogenes levels at 28 days, whereas no growth was observed in apples without sticks. We infer that insertion of a stick into the apple accelerates the transfer of juice from the interior of the apple to its surface, creating a microenvironment at the apple-caramel interface where L. monocytogenes can rapidly grow to levels sufficient to cause disease when stored at room temperature.

Sliced Apple Product Recalled for Potential Listeria

A Pennsylvania company is recalling sliced apple product for potential Listeria contamination after an environmental sample was found to be positive.  No illnesses have been reported.

 
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm461959.htm
Appeeling Fruit Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Limited Production Of Sliced Apples Because Of Possible Health Risk
Contact:
Consumer:
1-866-873-0468

Media:
Stephanie Schreiber
610-926-6601 ext. 22
sschreiber@appeelingfruit.com


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 9, 2015 – Appeeling Fruit Inc. in Dauberville, Penn. is voluntarily recalling a limited number of consumer packages of fresh sliced apples with Best-if-Used-by dates of 09/14/15 and 09/21/15, due to the potential to 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. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

FDA's Inspection Report for Apple Facility Involved in Caramel Apple Listeria Outbreak

FDA had issued a 483 Report on the Bidart Apple operation in light of the Caramel Apple Listeria outbreak.   This 483 Report made available through the Marler Blog  indicated the following:

• Of the 110 environmental samples taken, 7 were confirmed positive for Listeria monocytogenes with 6 of these being direct food contact surfaces.  These included the polishing brushes and the wooden bins.
• FDA observed food contact surfaces on packing equipment that were not maintained in a way that could be easily cleaned and sanitized.
• Exposed foam padding material on a packaging line (again, something that is not only difficult to clean, but can be a collection point for contamination).
• A bucket conveyor system made of a canvas material that had frayed ends (another material not easily cleaned).
• Torn / cracked flaps for controlling apple flow.

In summary, this is a facility that had a number of design /maintenance issues that made cleaning the microbiological level difficult.  Listeria was found on the line  immediately before final packing (the brushes) but were also found in a bin.  These items indicate the contamination was present, but offer little information on the initial source of contamination and conditions that lead proliferation on/in the apple.

Canadian Firm Recalled Sliced Apples Due to Listeria

A Canadian firm is recalling sliced apples after someone reported getting ill and CFIA test results.  The apples were distributed in Canada.



Canadian Food Inspection Agency
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/20150429b/eng/1430375161334/1430375167258
Food Recall Warning - Sliced apples and products containing sliced apples recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

Recall date:April 29, 2015
Reason for recall: Microbiological - Listeria
Hazard classification:Class 1
Company / Firm:Sun Rich Fresh Foods Inc.
Distribution:Possibly National
Extent of the distribution: Retail
   
Recall details

Ottawa, April 29, 2015 - Sun Rich Fresh Foods Inc. is recalling sliced apples and products containing sliced apples produced in its Brampton, Ontario facility from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Consumers should not consume and distributors, retailers and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals and nursing homes should not sell or use the recalled products described below.

Listeria Strains in Caramel Apple Outbreak Found in Apple Packing Shed

 FDA announced that the two strains of Listeria responsible for the caramel apple outbreak were found in the apple packing facility. 

Like the Listeria outbreak in cantaloupes,  this brings increased attention to apple control in the fruit packing area.

FDA Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm429689.htm

Bidart Bros. Works with Federal and State Officials to Determine Source of Listeriosis-Associated Outbreak

Contact:
Consumer:
(661) 399-0978

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — January 9, 2015 — Bakersfield, Calif. — Today, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the results of findings from additional tests performed on samples collected from Bidart Bros. apple processing plant. Test results confirm two strains of Listeria monocytogenes were found at the apple processing facility and are believed to be the same strains associated with the outbreak. Those same strains were also found in Bidart Bros. apples collected from a retailer by the FDA. Today, the CDC confirmed that the majority of the persons made ill reported consuming caramel-coated apples.

“The results are devastating to the Bidart family,” says Leonard Bidart, President Bidart Bros. “As a family-owned grower operating in California since the 1930s, we place safety at the forefront of everything we do. Our hearts go out to all who have been impacted by the apple-related listeriosis outbreak.

Update - Listeria Contaminated Caramel Apples

The CDC reports as of January 1, 32 people have become ill with 6 deaths related to Listeria contaminated caramel apples.

The FDA investigation traced the apples to Bidert Brothers Packing of CA.  Their Granny Smith and Gala Apples appear to be the likely source.   Companies which received apples from Bidert Bros issued recalls.

Happy Apple

California Snack Foods

Pacific Coast Fruit

Merb’s Candies

.
FDA completed sampling of the Bidert facility, but has not yet issued a report of their findings.

Caramel Apples Linked to Listeria Outbreak, 5 Reported Deaths

Caramel Apples, commercially produced and prepackaged, are being linked to a Listeria outbreak that has caused 5 deaths and 21 hospitalizations in 10 states.

 While we have recently seen recalls related to Listeria being detected on apple slices, this is one of the first cases of a Listeria outbreak related to apples.  Considering that there are as many illnesses and deaths, this is the type of outbreak that will have a huge impact on fruit packers and processors.

At this point, there is little information on the circumstances, but certainly more will follow.

Melted caramel is liquid in the 125F to 150F range, so depending on how fast it cooled, Listeria could survive on the surface.  It also could be forced into the apple via the wooden stake.

At this point, it may be wise to avoid caramel apples.

Well here is a scenario….

 

• Apples that were probably washed, but in less-than-sanitary quality water contaminates the apple, and most importantly the calyx.  
• Apples were stored prior to adding caramel, providing a greater chance for biofilm formation at the calyx end.
• The stick, when shoved into the calyx of the apple, drags the inoculum into the center of the apple.
• The core, perhaps not having as low a pH compared to the cells in the pulp, may be more apt to support the growth of Listeria.
• Growth is further supported by the storage of those apples at room temperature..and that temperature may even be higher in that those apples were dipped in the warm caramel.
• If the processor used bulk storage apples, the conditions for supporting biofilm would probably be greater.
• Caramel apples can have a sell-by-date as long as one month, and this will provide more opportunity for growth, even if that growth is slow.

 

Potential Controls for Consideration:

• Using tree run fruit that is sorted for fresh sales.
• Sanitizing apples followed by proper drying.  Sanitizer concentration must be controlled.
•  Storage of fresh apples at refrigerated temperature in boxes with separators.
•  Pre-dip the sticks in an acid sanitizing solution.
•  Chilling apples after dipping in caramel,
•  Storage of the caramel apples at refrigeration temperature.
• Limit shelf-life of caramel apples.
•  Can the calyx of the apple be removed?

  

We will need to see what the conditions for processing these caramel apples were to get a better idea of what happened.

CDC Outbreak Notices

http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/caramel-apples-12-14/index.html

Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Commercially Produced, Prepackaged Caramel Apples

 

Posted December 19, 2014 9:30 AM ET

 

Highlights

• Read the Advice to Consumers and Retailers>>(http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/caramel-apples-12-14/advice-consumers.html)
• CDC is collaborating with public health officials in several states and with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections (listeriosis) linked to commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples. Listeria can cause a serious, life-threatening illness.
• The information CDC has at this time indicates that commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples may be contaminated with Listeria and may be causing this outbreak.
• Out of an abundance of caution, CDC recommends that U.S. consumers do not eat any commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples, including plain caramel apples as well as those containing nuts, sprinkles, chocolate, or other toppings, until more specific guidance can be provided.

Sliced Apple Product Recalled Due to Positive Listeria Test

Del Monte is recalling approximately 3000 units of packaged sliced apples after the Ohio Department of Health found Listeria in testing retail product.  No illnesses have been reported.  The product identified in the recall is past its expiration date.

While the risk of a Listeria outbreak from sliced apples may be considered low due to lack of an associated outbreak, there have been recalls of sliced apples due to Listeria.  One recall occurred at a Washington company in 2013 and also at a New Jersey company in 2012.  Listeria has been shown to grow on sliced apples when those apples are temperature abused, or when certain spoilage organisms grow and cause fruit rotting (Conway, eta. 2000).  So while the shelf-life on this product is relatively short (approximately 12 days), there theoretically can be an issue in certain situations.

 

Business Wire
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20141209006788/en/Del-Monte-Fresh-Produce-N.A.-Voluntarily-Recalls#.VIhiEE10yUk
Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Fresh Cut Fruit Containing Gala Red Apple in a Few States in North East US Because of Possible Health Risk

December 10, 2014 12:39 AM Eastern Standard Time

CORAL GABLES, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. (“Del Monte Fresh”) announced today the voluntary recall of fresh cut fruit containing Gala red apples grown in Pennsylvania. The affected product was distributed to a limited number of customers in a few States in North East US and is being recalled because these apples have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Sliced Apples Recalled Due to Potential for Listeria After State Lab Finds Positive Sample

A Washington state company is recalling sliced apples due to the potential for Listeria contamination. The contamination was discovered by testing conducted by Minnesota Health Department. A sample tested was found to be positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

There have been no know Listeria outbreaks associated with sliced apples, however sliced apple product had been recalled in the 2012. Perhaps this is why MN Dept. of Health decided to pull this sample…perhaps it was just somebody pulling samples. Was the level of contamination significant? Studies have shown that Listeria can survive on apples and that it has grown on sliced apples when that product was temperature abused.

How we view risk of an item may not be constant over time.  This was the case with cantaloupes, where Listeria was probably not on the radar of those conducting a risk analysis, until the Jensen related outbreak in 2011. And so now for companies packing fresh apple slice, they too will need to include Listeria as part of their hazard analysis, and with this, they will need to implement environmental control measures in the processing environment.


The Packer
Crunch Pak recalls apple slices
http://www.thepacker.com/fruit-vegetable-news/Crunch-Pak-recalls-apple-slices-232066161.html

 11/15/2013 10:10:00 AM  Coral Beach

Possible listeria contamination spurred Crunch Pak, Cashmere, Wash., to voluntarily recall almost 5,500 cases of apple slices that had been distributed nationwide.

A random sample of a 14-ounce package of Crunch Pak brand Tart Apple Slices that was collected by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture tested positive for listeria monocytogenes, according to Crunch Pak spokeswoman Amy Philpott.

FDA Proposes Action Level for Arsenic in Apple Juice

FDA proposed a limit of 10ppb for inorganic arsenic in apple juice.  This is the same level that is in place for drinking water.

This issue garnered attention when that crusader for scaring the heck out of people in the name of public health, Dr. Oz, put a beat down on apple juice claiming that samples had high levels of aresenic.  However, FDA countered with scientific facts -  that they had monitored juice samples for years and had not found such levels AND the methodology used by the Oz quoted study looked at total arsenic and not inorganic aresenic, the harmful form.

If anything, it shows how mass-media-generated misinfomation can be used to force regulation.

FDA NEWS RELEASE
 FDA proposes “action level” for arsenic in apple juice

For Immediate Release: July 12, 2013
Media Inquiries: Theresa Eisenman, 301-796-2805, theresa.eisenman@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDAhttp://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm360466.htm

Agency testing and analysis confirm overall safety of apple juice

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today proposed an “action level” of 10 parts per billion (ppb) for inorganic arsenic in apple juice. This is the same level set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for arsenic in drinking water.

“The FDA is committed to ensuring the safety of the American food supply and to doing what is necessary to protect public health,” said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. “We have been studying this issue comprehensively, and based on the agency’s data and analytical work, the FDA is confident in the overall safety of apple juice for children and adults.”

“While the levels of arsenic in apple juice are very low, the FDA is proposing an action level to help prevent public exposure to the occasional lots of apple juice with arsenic levels above those permitted in drinking water,” said Michael R. Taylor, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine.


The FDA is establishing this threshold to provide guidance to industry. The agency takes the action level into account when considering an enforcement action, if it finds a food product exceeds the threshold.

The FDA has been monitoring the presence of arsenic in apple juice for the past 20 years and has consistently found that samples contain levels of arsenic that are low, with few exceptions. New tools, however, have allowed the agency to better understand the breakdown between organic and inorganic arsenic levels. Last year the FDA released findings from its latest data collection and analysis of 94 samples of arsenic in apple juice. The analysis showed that 95 percent of the apple juice samples tested were below 10 ppb total arsenic; 100 percent of the samples were below 10 ppb for inorganic arsenic, the carcinogenic form of arsenic.

The proposed level of 10 ppb takes into account this sampling data plus a recently completed, peer-reviewed risk assessment of inorganic arsenic in apple juice conducted by FDA scientists. The assessment is based on lifetime exposure.

Inorganic arsenic may be found in foods because it is present in the environment, both as a naturally occurring mineral and because of activity such as past use of arsenic-containing pesticides. A known carcinogen, inorganic arsenic also has been associated with skin lesions, developmental effects, cardiovascular disease, neurotoxicity, and diabetes.

In conducting its new assessment on apple juice, the FDA was able to use data from two studies published in 2010, as well as a 2011 evaluation by the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants of the Food and Agriculture Organization, part of the United Nations and the World Health Organization.

The agency will accept public comments on the proposed action level and the risk assessment for 60 days.


It's Dr. Oz versus the FDA on apple juice and arsenic
September 16, 2011|By Jeannine Stein, Los Angeles Times / For the Booster Shots blog http://articles.latimes.com/2011/sep/16/news/la-heb-apples-arsenic-oz-20110916

An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but apple juice? That's asking for trouble.

Witness the white-hot flames of controversy this week over Dr. Mehmet Oz's claims that apple juice contains unhealthful levels of arsenic. Here's the background in a nutshell: On his syndicated television show, Oz made the claims about apple juice containing arsenic, which prompted the Food and Drug Administration and others to fire back, saying that Oz's claims were unfounded and that the juice was safe to drink.

Winn Dixie Recalls Apple Juice Because of Patulin

Winn-Dixie, a southern supermarket chain is recalling organic apple juice because of patulin, a mycotoxin (toxic fungal metabolite). Patulin is produced by certain mold species, including Penicillium, Aspergillus and Byccochlamus and can be found in fruit, most often apples. FDA has a limit of 50 ug/L in apple juice. 

At high does, it can be acutely toxic, but at lower levels, there is concern it may be a carcinogen, although studies are inconclusive. It is controlled through the prevention of using rotten apples from being processed into products like apple juice. This is accomplished through good pre and post-harvest practices, and the removal of any moldy or rotten fruit prior to processing.


Winn-Dixie Issues Voluntary Recall On Winn-Dixie Organic 100% Apple Juice

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm347979.htm?source=govdelivery
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -April 12, 2013 - Winn-Dixie today announced an immediate voluntary recall of 64 FL OZ Winn-Dixie Organic 100% Apple Juice. The product is being recalled as a precaution because it could have levels of “patulin” that exceeds FDA limits. Winn-Dixie has received no reports of any issues associated with Winn-Dixie Organic 100% Apple Juice consumption.

Patulin is a mycotoxin, a by-product of some molds that can grow in fruits and vegetables. The possibility of adverse health consequences resulting from this product is very remote. However, the FDA has determined that products made from concentrate with a patulin level of over 50 parts per billion are subject to a voluntary recall.

Out of an abundance of caution for customers, Winn-Dixie is immediately recalling “64 FL OZ Winn-Dixie Organic 100% Apple Juice from Concentrate with Added Ingredient.” The recall is companywide for Winn-Dixie stores in the states of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

NJ Company Recalls Sliced Apples Due to Potential Presence of Listeria monocytogenes

Missa Bay of New Jersey is recalling close to 300,000 cases of sliced apples due to a positive finding of Listeria monocytogenes on the processing equipment used to process the sliced apples.  Product was shipped to 36 states and the District of Columbia.  There have been no reported illnesses.

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.