Michigan Produce Company Issues Apple Recall

Jack Brown Produce, Inc. of Sparta, MI, is recalling ‘Gala,’ ‘Fuji,’ ‘Honeycrisp,’ and ‘Golden Delicious’ apples processed and shipped by one of its suppliers, Nyblad Orchards, Inc., from Dec. 11-16 because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Jack Brown Produce, Inc. President John Schaefer issued the following statement:

“The health and safety of the consumers we serve is our top priority, and when one of our suppliers’ testing revealed a potential food safety issue, Jack Brown Produce acted quickly to carry out a recall of all affected products. We encourage consumers to destroy any affected products they may have at home, and contact our company for a full refund by calling 616-887-9568. To view a full list and photos of products impacted by this recall, please visit our website.”

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Michigan Produce Company Issues Apple Recall

This bag of ‘Fuji’ apples is an example of the products being recalled because a routine test turned up Listeria. (Photo: Jack Brown Produce Inc.)

The recall was the result of a routine sampling program at the Nyblad Orchards, Inc. facility which revealed that finished products contained Listeria monocytogenes. Jack Brown Produce, Inc. has ceased the distribution of any further products processed at Nyblad Orchards as the FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

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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. No illnesses have been reported to date.

Listeria is feared by the produce industry as it is notorious for being extraordinarily difficult to eradicate from packing and processing facilities.

The recalled apples were distributed through 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” including:

  • 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.
  • The potentially-affected product can be identified by the following lot numbers 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
    Gala: NOI 164, 166 on either the product labels and/or bag-closure clip.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 616-887-9568 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET) and ask for Lisa Ingalls.

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