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.