McDonald's, Burger King Bitten by Apple Slice Recall
McDonald's and Burger King apple slices are part of a nationwide recall over fears of possible listeria contamination in prepackaged fruit and vegetables.
No illnesses have been reported, but the fast-food restaurants have stopped serving apple slices affected by the recall. The voluntary recall covers nearly 300,000 units of fruit, vegetable, and sandwich products shipped to 36 states and the District of Columbia, the Associated Press reports.
The recalled packages are stamped with "use by" dates of July 8 through August 20. In addition to fast-food restaurants, packages were also sold in supermarkets under the "Ready Pac" and "Safeway Farms" labels.
In the McDonald's and Burger King apple slice recall, Listeria was found on equipment used to make sliced apple products at a Ready Pac plant, according to the AP.
Listeria is a bacterium that can cause listeriosis, which typically results in flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal problems. In severe cases, the infection can spread to the nervous system and cause stiff neck, confusion, or even convulsions.
Though the risk of listeria infection is small, anyone sickened by a contaminated food product may be able to get compensation for medical expenses. A doctor's diagnosis is generally needed, and a products liability lawyer can help too.
Along with McDonald's and Burger King apple slices, many of the recalled Ready Pac foods were shipped to Wawa and Wegmans grocery stores in the eastern United States, though other stores may have received potentially tainted produce as well. Consumers can click on Ready Pac's website for a list of recalled items, and can call Ready Pac at (800) 800-7822 for a full refund, the company says.
Related Resources:
- Apples sold by McDonald's, Burger King recalled for listeria risk (St. Louis Business Journal)
- Onion Recall Spreads Across Country, 100 Diff. Foods Affected (FindLaw's Common Law)
- What to Do After Food Poisoning (FindLaw's Injured)
- Food Poisoning: What Are Your Rights? (FindLaw's Injured)
