The Food and Drug Administration announced Friday that Missa Bay, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ready Pac Foods, Inc., of Swedesboro, is voluntarily recalling a total of 293,488 cases and 296,224 individually distributed units of fruit, vegetable, and sandwich products containing apples, with the use‐by dates of July 8, through August 20, 2012 because they contain diced or sliced apples which may be contaminated with listeria, which can cause serious or life-threatening illnesses. 

No illnesses have been reported, but listeria was found on equipment used to produce apple products by Ready Pac Foods. Symptoms of infection may include fever, muscle aches, gastro intestinal discomfort such as nausea or diarrhea. According to a press release from the FDA, the illness primarily impacts pregnant women and adults with weakened immune systems. Most healthy adults and children rarely become seriously ill, it states.  

Packaged apple slices distributed to McDonald’s and Burger King in New Jersey are also included in the recall.

Consumers are advised to check their refrigerators for products listed below. Anyone who may have purchased the affected product is asked to record the Use‐By date and/or UPC code number, immediately dispose of the product, and contact the Ready Pac Consumer Affairs Department, toll‐free at (800) 800‐7822, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific Time) to obtain a full refund. Please visit the website at www.readypac.com for a copy of the release. 

The following is more detailed information on recalled products: