Simply Fresh Fruit and Millers Ale House Sliced Apple Recall Issued

A recall has been issued for 119 cases of sliced apples sold under the Simply Fresh Fruit and Millers Ale House brands throughout Florida due to the risk of Listeria contamination.  

The sliced apple recall was announced by FDA and Marjon Specialty Foods, the manufacturer, July 5 after Listeria monocytogenes was detected in the apples by Florida inspectors. There have been no illnesses reported in connection to the apple recall.

There are 296 2-ounce packages of sliced apples affected by the recall. The Simply Fresh Fruit sliced apples and Millers Ale House sliced apples were divided into 119 cases, with use by dates of 7-20-10 and 7-21-10.

The Marjon production plant was temporarily shut down when the contaminated apples were detected and the company made sure the plant met Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). FDACS investigators allowed production to begin again on July 6.

The apples were sold to food service distributors in Florida and then to institutional and food service establishments. Marjon officials say that the packages have all been accounted for and any remaining products have been destroyed.

Listeria infections, also known as listeriosis, pose a particular risk for children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. For pregnant women, illness from Listeria bacteria can cause miscarriages and still births. The fatality rate associated with listeriosis is about 25%.

Blood tests are usually required to diagnose Listeriosis, which can be treated with antibiotics. Symptoms of Listeriosis include muscle aches, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, severe headaches and fever. If the bacteria spreads from the intestines to the bloodstream and nervous system, it could cause meningitis and other complications.