Thousands of fresh apples recalled over listeria concerns by Michigan produce company
North Bay Produce is recalling apples over potential listeria contamination concerns.
The Traverse City, Michigan-based food and beverage company issued the voluntary recall on Monday for 2,297 cases and 2 bulk bins of fresh apples due to the potential to be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes, according to theU.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The bad apples were distributed to wholesalers, retailers and brokers in Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin from Oct. 16 to Oct. 21.
The fresh apple varieties included McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Jonathan, Fuji, Jonamac and Red Delicious apples, according to the FDA recall statement.
"Recalled apples were sold in plastic bags under the brands; Great Lakes, North Bay Produce Pure Michigan as well as unbranded in clear plastic tote bags, white paper tote bags, and individually from retailers display trays," the FDA said.
Click here for a full list of products, descriptions and photos.
In Monday's recall, the FDA said the listeria monocytogenes organism can "cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems."
Short-term symptoms in healthy individuals can include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women, according to the FDA.
"The recall was initiated as a result of a finished product test that indicated the presence of the organism. Upon notification, we immediately ceased the production and distribution product from the identified facility and continue our investigation as to what caused the issue, in cooperation with FDA," the company said in a statement.
North Bay Produce notified commercial customers and has worked with them to "remove recalled product from commerce."
