Health Risk from Sliced Apple Products

By Ethel Tiersky

Apr 07, 2016

Those little bags of  sliced apples, sold  under various brand names, have been involved in recalls before.  On April 5, the FDA posted another one. The company name is Fresh From Texas; it's based in San Antonio.  In September, 2015, recalled sliced apples were sold under this cute name: Appeeling  Fruit Inc., cleverly named by a Dauberville, PA firm.

 

In both cases mentioned above, the offending germ was 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.

 

Shelf Life Advice informed readers about another, older  recall concerning diced or sliced apples sold under the name Ready-Pac  as well as other brand names.  I don't know about you, but I feel up to the arduous task of cutting up my own apples.  I'd rather risk dicing or slicing a finger than inviting a foodborne illness into my home.

 

Here are the products that have been recently recalled by Fresh From Texas.

 

Product

UPC Code

Best By Date

Packaging

H-E-B READY FRESH GO SLICED RED

APPLES 22.5 OZ.

4122018603

03/16 to 04/11

Bagged Item

H-E-B READY FRESH GO SLICED RED APPLES WITH CARAMEL DIP 16 OZ.

4122079830

03/16 to 04/11

Bagged Item

Value Pack Sliced Apples 28 oz.

42797 96149

03/16/2016 to 04/11/2016

Clear Bowl

Red & Green Apples Large 17 oz.

41220 87649

03/16/2016 to 04/11/2016

Clear Container

Large Sliced Red Apples 17 oz.

41220 87646

03/16/2016 to 04/11/2016

Clear Container

Fruit Party Tray 45 oz.

41220 87997

03/16/2016 to 04/03/2016

Clear Rectangle Container

Deluxe Fruit Tray 52 oz.

42797 96661

03/16/2016 to 04/03/2016

Clear Round Container

Apples & Grapes 10 oz.

41220 87666

03/16/2016 to 04/03/2016

Clear Container

Fruit & Veg Combo Tray 40 oz.

42797 96688

03/16/2016 to 04/03/2016

Clear Rectangle Tray

H-E-B READY FRESH GO FRESH FRUIT MEDLEY 7 oz.

41220 02402

03/16/2016 to 04/03/2016

Clear Container

H-E-B READY FRESH GO CARROTS, APPLES & CELERY WITH RANCH DIP 6.75 oz.

41220 54448

03/16/2016 to 04/03/2016

Clear Container with 4 compartments

H-E-B READY FRESH GO CARROTS, APPLES WITH SESAME STICKS, & HUMMUS 6oz

41220 02144

03/16/2016 to 04/03/2016

Clear Rectangle Container with 4 compartments

H-E-B READY FRESH GO CARROTS, APPLES WITH YOGURT PRETZELS AND RANCH DIP 4.75 oz.

41220 02119

03/16/2016 to 04/03/2016

Clear Rectangle Container with 4 compartments

H-E-B READY FRESH GO PINEAPPLE, GRAPES & APPLES WITH BANANA CHIPS

6 oz.

41220 02138

03/16/2016 to 04/03/2016

Clear Container with 4 compartments

 

 

The recall was the result of internal company testing which indicated the presence of Listeria Monocytogenes in two random samples of the same product. The company has ceased production and distribution of the product as FDA and continues its investigation into the cause of the problem.

 

Any recalled product can be returned to the store where it was purchased for a full refund.

 

Customers with questions or concerns may contact Fresh from Texas at (817) 690-2330 Monday-Friday 24 hours a day.

 

Source(s):

 

fda.gov "Fresh From  Texas Recalls Apple Product Because of Possible Health Risk"

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm494345.htm

 

fda.gov "Appeeling Fruit Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Limited Production of Sliced Apples Because of Possible Health Risk"

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm461959.htm

 

 shelflifeadvice.com "Produce Recalls: Cantaloupe, Honeydew Melon, and Sliced Apples"

http://shelflifeadvice.com/content/produce-recalls-cantaloupe-honeydew-melon-and-sliced-apples

 
 

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