Can I get Listeria from apples?
That’s the question some people have been mulling since a major recall for apples potentially contaminated with Listeria was announced earlier this week. And the answer is Yes.
Although some foods such as cheese, deli meat, smoked salmon and dairy products are more frequently associated with Listeria than others, any food can become contaminated with the bacteria. Over the years, there have been multiple Listeria recalls for sliced apples, whole apples and caramel apples. There have also been a couple of outbreaks associated with Listeria in apples.
The Listeria lawyers at Pritzker Hageman represent clients nationwide and recovered what is believed to be the largest award in a Listeria case in the U.S. for a client sickened in an outbreak linked to caramel apples whose baby was born with Listeria prematurely
Listeria is found in nature but grows best in cool, damp environments. Symptoms of an infection, which can cause serious illness and death, include high fever, severe headache, muscle aches, abdominal cramps, nausea and diarrhea. Among pregnant women, Listeria can cause miscarriage, stillbirth and, as was the case with our client, premature delivery.
Apple Listeria Recalls and Outbreaks
On October 28, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted a recall by North Bay Produce Inc. of Traverse City, MI for apples sold in eight states that were potentially contaminated with Listeria. The recalled apples were shipped to retailers in: MI, WI, NC, KY, FL, IL, TX and LA between October 16th, 2019 and October 21st, 2019. Apples shipped before October 16 are not affected by this recall.
At grocery stores in these states, the apples were sold in bulk bins, unbranded clear plastic tote bags and unbranded white paper tote bags. The recalled varieties include McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Jonathan, Fuji, Jonamac and Red Delicious. Consumers in the affected states who have recently purchased apples should check recall information carefully. At the time of the recall, North Bay said it was not aware of any illnesses associated with the recalled apples.
Both of the recent Listeria outbreaks involving apples were linked to caramel apples. In 2014, an outbreak linked to caramel apples sickened 35 people in 12 states, killing seven of them. The apples were produced by Bidart Bros. of Bakersfield, CA. Two years later, another Listeria outbreak linked to caramel apples sickened three people in three states.
If you developed Listeria after eating apples that were later recalled and would like a free consultation with the Listeria lawyers at Pritzker Hageman call 1 (888) 377-8900, send a text to 612-261-0856. Or, complete the form below.