Two Strains Of Listeria Found At California Apple Processing Facility
January 12, 2015 Additional tests performed on samples collected from Bidart Brothers apple processing plant from FDA confirm two strains of Listeria monocytogenes were found at the apple processing facility and are believed to be the same strains associated with the outbreak. Those same strains were also found in Bidart Brothers apples collected from a retailer by FDA. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the majority of the persons made ill reported consuming caramel-coated apples.
“The results are devastating to the Bidart family,” Leonard Bidart, president of Bidart Brothers says. “As a family-owned grower operating in California since the 1930s, we place safety at the forefront of everything we do. Our hearts go out to all who have been impacted by the apple-related listeriosis outbreak. From the moment we learned of the issue, we committed ourselves to cooperating completely with the U.S. FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the California Department of Public Health.”
Given the findings from the latest test results, and out of an abundance of caution, the company has instituted a voluntary recall of all Bidart Brothers Granny Smith and Gala apples still available in the marketplace. Bidart Brothers is contacting all of its retailers with specific instructions as to how to return those apples to Bidart Brothers. The operation last shipped Granny Smith apples to customers on Dec. 2, 2014.
These apples can be sold under the brand names “Big B” and “Granny’s Best,” though, they could also be sold under other brand names or with no brand at all. Consumers who are buying or have recently bought Granny Smith or Gala apples should ask their retailers if the apples were supplied by Bidart Brothers Other varieties of apples and apples from other growers are not affected by the recall.
Consumers should avoid eating commercially produced, prepackaged whole caramel apples including those various brands and types containing nuts, sprinkles, chocolate, and other toppings that were manufactured using Bidart Brothers apples. Consumers who are buying or have recently bought caramel apples should ask their retailer if the caramel apples were manufactured using recalled apples.
Each year, Bidart Brothers voluntarily requests the USDA conduct an audit of the operation’s food-safety and food-handling protocols. On Sept.19, 2014, USDA certified that for 2014 Bidart Brothers met USDA criteria for good agricultural practices and good handling practices in its apple plant.
FDA notified Bidart Brothers of the results of the additional testing. As a result of these latest findings, Bidart Brothers is reviewing all of their procedures to ensure that the product that leaves the facilities is safe.
Source: FDA news Release
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