Georgia Apples Recalled For Listeria

Several varieties of apples that were for sale in Georgia are being recalled over concerns they are contaminated with listeria.

Jack Brown Produce, Inc., of Sparta, Michigan, is recalling Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp and Golden Delicious apples that were processed by one of its suppliers, Nyblad Orchards, on Dec. 11-16. The apples were distributed to retail stores in Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, Indiana and Ohio.

The apples were sold under the brand name "Apple Ridge." They include:

• Honeycrisp apples in two-pound clear plastic bags
• Gala, Fuji, and Golden Delicious apples in 3-pound clear plastic bags
• Fuji and Gala apples in 5-pound red-netted mesh bags
• Gala, Fuji and Honeycrisp apples that were tray-packed or individually sold

The potentially-affected apples can be identified by the following lot numbers printed on the bag label or bag-closure clip:

• Fuji: NOI 163, 165, 167, 169, 174
• Honeycrisp: NOI 159, 160, 173
• Golden Delicious: NOI 168
• Gala: NOI 164, 166

Listeria monocytogenes, is an organism that 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.

No illnesses have been reported to date, according to the federal Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA said Tuesday that the recall was the result of a routine sampling program at a Nyblad Orchards facility, which revealed that finished products contained listeria. Jack Brown Produce has stopped distributing apples from Nyblad Orchards while the FDA and the company investigate what caused the problem.

Anyone who has bought Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp and Golden Delicious Apples under the brand name "Apple Ridge" on or after Dec. 11 is urged to destroy the product and contact Jack Brown Produce for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 616-887-9568 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. ET) and ask for Lisa Ingalls.

Photo courtesy U.S. Food and Drug Administration