Missa Bay LLC, a subsidiary of Ready Pac Foods Inc., has become the subject of increasing criticism this week. Subsequently, equipment used to produce a variety of their apple products was recently found to be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes, a potentially deadly foodborne pathogen. While no illnesses have been reported, several apple products have been distributed to fast food and grocery retailers around the country. Due to the potentially dangerous side effects associated with this strain of listeria, an immediate recall of Ready Pac Foods Inc. apples has been initiated.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with listeria food poisoning (listeriosis) after eating apples included in this recall, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free confidential case evaluation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.
Ready Pac Foods Inc. Apple Slices Recall Lawsuit Overview
Ready Pac was founded in 1969 as a produce supplier to the foodservice industry. They are currently one of the largest distributers of individually packed healthy salad blends, snacks, single-serve salads and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables. Their success has witnessed the company provide these products to fast food and grocery retailers around the United States.
Unfortunately, a random test conducted on the equipment of a Missa Bay facility uncovered traces of listeria monocytogenes on equipment being used to package sliced apples. While the contamination has yet to result in any illnesses, the potentially contaminated apple slices have been distributed to fast food and grocery retailers around the country. As a result, an immediate recall of the suspect apples has been initiated.
Packaged apple slices distributed to McDonald’s and Burger King in some states are included in the recall, as are some packaged fruit, veggies, salads and sandwiches containing apples distributed to Wawa convenience store and Wegman’s grocery chains, as well as various apple and fruit snacks with “Ready Pac” labels and apple salad kits with a “Safeway Farms” label.
The recalled snacks have use-by dates of July 8 through Aug. 20, the company said. According to Ready Pac representatives, consumers should check their refrigerators for products with those use-by dates. Ready Pac also requested retail stores to remove any questionable products of theirs from store shelves.
Listeria Monocytogenes
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The disease primarily affects older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems. However, rarely, persons without these risk factors can also be affected.
A person with listeriosis usually has fever and muscle aches, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. Almost everyone who is diagnosed with listeriosis has “invasive” infection, in which the bacteria spread beyond the gastrointestinal tract. The symptoms vary with the infected person:
- Pregnant women: Pregnant women typically experience only a mild, flu-like illness. However, infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
- Persons other than pregnant women: Symptoms, in addition to fever and muscle aches, can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
Listeriosis can present in different ways depending on the type of infection. Manifestations of listeriosis are host-dependent. In older adults and persons with immunocompromising conditions, septicemia and meningitis are the most common clinical presentations. Pregnant women may experience a mild, flu-like illness followed by fetal loss or bacteremia and meningitis in their newborns. Immunocompetent persons may experience acute febrile gastroenteritis or no symptoms.
Listeria Outbreak
Last year, two cases of Listeria infection were reported on the same day in Colorado. Subsequently, the reports captured the attention of healthcare officials who, in association with the FDA, quickly traced the origins of the infectious bacterium to Jensen Farms. Lab tests conducted by the FDA confirmed their findings and were released in an FDA Press Release.
While state officials provided a timely response to the cantaloupe recall, it was too late. By late August and mid September, Listeria infections peaked. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 123 people from 26 states were affected by the contaminated cantaloupe. Approximately two dozen people were killed by the listeria outbreak
Officials at the FDA blamed the outbreak on unsanitary conditions on the farm’s off-site packing facility. The agency acknowledged that the facility was poorly designed, allowing water to pool on the floors. Subsequently, a new washer and dryer system had also been used on raw potatoes that may have been decayed, providing Listeria with optimal growing conditions.
Do I Have a Ready Pac Foods Inc. Apple Slices Recall Lawsuit?
The trial lawyers at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP have decades of experience navigating through complex legislative and regulatory issues and litigating high stakes cases all over the nation. Our law firm focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in Ready Pack Foods Inc. apple slices recall lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
Again, If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with listeria food poisoning (listeriosis) after eating apples included in this recall, you should contact our lawyers immediately by clicking the link below or calling toll free 1-(949) 557-5800. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.