Jack Brown Produce of Michigan is recalling Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, and Golden Delicious Apples processed and shipped by Nyblad Orchards because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this issue.
The apples were shipped on December 11, 2017 through December 16, 2017. They were distributed at retail stores in Michigan, Georgia, Missouri, Indiana and Ohio. The product at issue consists of the following types of apples sold or distributed by Jack Brown Produce, Inc. under the brand name “Apple Ridge.”
The following apples are recalled: 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; and Gala, Fuji and Honeycrisp apples that were tray-packed/individually sold. These numbers are printed on the bag label and/or bag-closure clip: Fuji: NOI 163, 165, 167, 169, 174; Honeycrisp: NOI 159, 160, 173; Golden Delicious: NOI 168; and Gala: NOI 164, 166 on either the product labels and/or bag-closure clip.
Routine sampling at Nyblad Orchards revealed that the finished product contained Listeria monocytogenes. Jack Brown has ceased the distribution of any more product processed at Nyblad Orchards while the problem is investigated.
If you bought any of these apples, do not eat them, even if you are planning to cook them. Throw them away in a sealed container in a secure garbage can, or take them back to the store where you bought them for a full refund.
Then clean out your refrigerator with a solution of 1 tablespoon liquid chlorine bleach to 1 gallon of warm water. Listeria monocytogenes bacteria can grow at refrigerator temperatures, and freezing won’t kill it. Wash your hands well with soap and water after handling the apples and after cleaning.
If you ate any of these apples, monitor yourself for the symptoms of listeriosis for the next 70 days. Those symptoms include high fever, stiff neck, severe headache, abdominal pains, and diarrhea. Pregnant women need to be very cautious about this illness, as it can cause miscarriages, stillbirth, and premature labor even though the woman is only mildly sick with what appears to be the flu. If you do feel sick, see your doctor.
