Sep 11, 2015

Appeeling Fruit Inc. voluntarily recalls limited production of sliced apples

Appeeling Fruit in Dauberville, Pennsylvania is voluntarily recalling a limited number of consumer packages of fresh sliced apples with Best-if-Used-by dates of Sept. 14, 2015 and Sept. 21, 2015, due to the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which 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.

To date, health authorities have not linked any illnesses to this recall. No other products are affected by this recall.

The recalled product was shipped to retail distribution centers; wholesalers; and foodservice customers in the states of Florida, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania between Aug. 31 and Sept. 2.

Consumers can identify the recalled consumer productsby the brand,UPC codes and Best-if-Used-by dates provided in the table at the end of this release.

Appeeling Fruit has already notified customers who received the recalled product directly from the company and requested that they remove it from commerce. The company has also asked its direct customers to notify their customers of this recall. Appeeling Fruit is issuing this press release and keeping the U.S. Food and Drug Administrationinformed of its recall process to assure that consumers are properly alerted.

The recall is being initiated after the company was informed that an environmental sample taken in the production facility as part of a routine sampling program tested positive for the bacteria. None of the final product tested positive, and subsequent test results from the facility have been negative.

“Many of our customers informed us that the recalled product was still in refrigerated warehouses and never reached consumers. Nevertheless, we are issuing this recall to reduce even the slightest risk to public health.” said Steve Cygan, president of Appeeling Fruit. “We care deeply about the health and safety of those who enjoy our products.”