August 13, 2012 — Packaged apple slices distributed to McDonald’s, Burger King, and other distributors in 36 states have been recalled due to possible Listeria contamination. The listeria bacteria can grow in refrigerated foods. It can cause severe gastrointestinal illness that can be life-threatening. Fortunately, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the outbreak.
Click here for the official FDA recall notice.
The listeria bacteria was found on equipment used to process apples owned by Missa Bay, LLC, a company that is owned by Ready Pac Foods Inc.
The recalled products include packaged apple slices that were distributed to McDonald’s and Burger King, as well as packaged fruit, vegetables, and salads containing the sliced apples. Some products were distributed to Wawa convenience stores, Wegman’s grocery stores, “Ready Pac” apple and fruit snacks, and “Safeway Farms” apple salad kits.
The products are marked with a use-by date of July 8 through August 20, 2012. The company is recommending that customers check their refrigerator for packaged apple products with those use-by dates. Retailers are also being advised to check store shelves for the products. The recall involves nearly 300,000 individual products.
The following states are involved in the outbreak: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, 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, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
McDonald’s has stopped serving the apple products and removed them from restaurants and distribution centers.
Listeria food poisoning is most dangerous for children, the elderly, people with a weak immune system, and pregnant women. When pregnant women become infected, the bacteria can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection in the newborn. Last year, an outbreak of listeria tied to cantaloupe was linked to 30 deaths and one pregnant woman’s miscarriage.
Symptoms of listeria food poisoning include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea, which may be watery or bloody
- Muscle aches or stiffness
- Fever
- Confusion
- Convulsions
- And more
Do I have a Listeria Food Poisoning Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting listeria food poisoning induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by apple slices contaminated with listeria, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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