Woodland Park parents may feel that they are doing the best thing for their kids by providing healthy snacks such as apple slices. For the most part, they’d be right. Even fast food and grocery locations now have packaged apple slices as regular items that are popular with parents and kids. Recently, a large quantity of these sliced apples was recalled by their manufacturer due to contamination which makes them a potentially dangerous product.
According to reports, more than 293,000 cases and more than 296,000 individual packages containing the apple slices were recalled across 36 states and Washington, D.C. The reason for the recall is because equipment used to process or package the apples was found to be contaminated with listeria. The manufacturer, Ready Pac Foods Inc., distributed them to fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s and Burger King, as well as grocers and convenience stores.
Listeria is known for causing flu like symptoms, digestive problems, convulsions, confusion and more. Listeria is particularly dangerous for the elderly, pregnant, and those with immune deficiencies. Though no illnesses related to the apples have been reported, Ready Pac has still issued the recall. The recalled packages are said to carry consumption dates between July 8 and Aug. 20. Consumers are urged to contact Ready Pac with questions.
New Jersey is among the states covered by the recall, so Woodland Park parents and consumers who eat prepackaged apple slices from fast food restaurants or grocery stores may want to think twice.
It is not often that food is considered a dangerous product, but when equipment and machinery is used in food processing plants, there is always a chance of contamination from chemicals or bacteria. When someone becomes ill or injured due to a dangerous product, the manufacturer must be held accountable. One way for consumers to do this is by filing a product liability claim, which can help them recover damages that may help them heal and move forward.
Source: Fox News, “Sliced apples recalled for possible listeria sold at fast food chains, grocery stores,” The Associated Press, Aug. 13, 2012
