Freshway Foods Sliced Apples Recall Issued Due to Listeria Risk

A recall has been issued for 6,671 pounds of sliced apples sold by Freshway Foods, after random sample testing indicated the presence of Listeria monocytogens, which may pose a risk of serious and sometimes fatal food poisoning.

The Freshway Foods sliced apple recall was announced by FDA on December 8, after random sample testing by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services tested positive for listeria contamination. There have been no illnesses reported in connection to this recall.

The company announced that all of the apple products related to the recall were packaged by the same machine, which may have been the source of contamination. In the recall notice, Freshway indicates that it cleans its machines daily.

The recall affects 2.4 oz packages of red apple slices sold at Freshway Foods in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New York, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. The sliced apples have a Use by Date of 11/30/2012 and no UPC number.

Red apple slices sold in 14 oz Motts Innerlock bags, with a UPC Number of 95829 20000, are also impacted by the recall. These sliced apples were sold in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina with Use by Dates of 12/03/2012 and 12/6/2012. The recall also affects green apple slices sold in 14 oz Motts Innerlock bags with a UPC Number of 95829 20042, sold in North Carolina with a Use by Date of 12/03/2012.

Listeria infections pose a serious risk to young children and the elderly due to a weakened immune system. For pregnant women, listeriosis can pose an increased risk of miscarriages and still births. In many cases, individuals do not experience symptoms immediately, which may involve fever, muscle aches, nausea or diarrhea. In more severe cases, listeria poisoning may lead to meningitis, mental changes, brain abscesses, or death.

While listeria illness is one of the rarer forms of food poisoning, it frequently results in hospitalization and about a quarter of those who contract the illness die from the infection.

Consumers with questions may call Freshway Foods’ information desk at 1-855-775-3295 or visit their website www.freshwayfoods.com.