Oct 28, 2019

North Bay Produce voluntarily recalls fresh apples due to health risk

North Bay Produce of Traverse City, Michigan is voluntarily recalling 2,297 cases and two bulk bins of fresh apples due to the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenes is 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.

Recalled varieties include McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Jonathan, Fuji, Jonamac and Red Delicious apples. Recalled apples were sold in plastic bags under the brands; Great Lakes, North Bay Produce Pure Michigan as well as unbranded in clear plastic tote bags, white paper tote bags, and individually from retailers display trays.

The recalled apples were shipped between Oct. 16, 2019, and Oct. 21, 2019, from one North Bay facility to wholesalers, retailers and brokers in Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin.

Apples purchased at retail prior to Oct. 16 are not affected by this recall, and no other North Bay Produce products are affected by this recall.

“At this time, we are not aware of any illnesses linked by health officials to this recall,” the company said in a news release.

Anyone who has the recalled product in their possession should not consume it. The product should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase. The recall was initiated as a result of a finished product test that indicated the presence of the organism.

Upon notification, we immediately ceased the production and distribution product from the identified facility and continue our investigation as to what caused the issue, in cooperation with FDA.

We have notified our commercial customers to whom we shipped the recalled product and are working with them to remove recalled product from commerce. Consumers with questions may call 1-231-929-4001, Monday-Friday, 8am – 5pm Eastern Time, or visit www.northbayproduce.

Frequently Asked Questions & Photos of recalled product(s)

Information for consumers and the public at large:

Consumers who have the recalled product in their possession should not consume it and should discard or return the product to the place of purchase. Consumers with questions may click here to see a list of Frequently Asked Questions, , email [email protected] or call 1-231-929-4001, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Over the weekend, we will also return messages.

Information for commercial customers:

Retailers, brokers and wholesalers who received the recalled product directly from us have been notified of this recall and directed to destroy and remove from commerce any product still in inventory. In addition, we have also issued a public news release in order to inform consumers and a broader range of possible buyers who did not buy directly from the company.

Wholesalers, retailers, brokers, or other buyers with questions may call their sales representative Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.