Bought apples in Georgia? Check out this recall over listeria before your first bite

Some apples sold in stores in Georgia and other states are being recalled because of possible listeria contamination, according to a news release from the Food and Drug Administration.

The apples from Jack Brown Produce in Sparta, Michigan, were sold under the brand name “Apple Ridge” in Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, Indiana and Ohio. They were processed and shipped by Nyblad Orchards starting Dec. 11.

Listeria monocytogenes most affects pregnant women, newborns, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, but listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The CDC reports that symptoms typically start 1 to 4 weeks after eating contaminated food, but symptoms may start the same day as exposure or up to 70 days later.

No illnesses related to this recall were reported as of Tuesday, according to the FDA. The contamination was discovered as a result of a routine sampling program, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause.

The FDA lists the following varieties included in the recall:

▪  Honeycrisp apples in 2-pound clear plastic bags

▪  Gala, Fuji and Golden Delicious apples in 3-pound clear plastic bags

▪  Fuji and Gala apples in 5-pound red mesh bags

▪  Gala, Fuji and Honeycrisp apples sold individually or packed in trays

The recalled apples can be identified by the following lot numbers printed on the bag label or bag-closure clip:

▪  Fuji: NOI 163, 165, 167, 169, 174

▪  Honeycrisp: NOI 159, 160, 173

▪  Golden Delicious: NOI 168

▪  Gala: NOI 164, 166

The FDA says anyone who has purchased these apples should destroy them.

Jack Brown Produce says consumers may return the apples to the store where they were purchased or contact the company for a full refund at 1-800-348-0834.

This story was originally published December 20, 2017 at 7:31 AM with the headline "Bought apples in Georgia? Check out this recall over listeria before your first bite."