News

Burger King, McDonald's apples recalled for possible listeria contamination

August 13, 2012

McDonald's and Burger King's apple supply has been voluntarily recalled by supplier Ready Pac Foods Inc. because of potential contamination of listeria.

According to Bloomberg, the bacterium was found on equipment used by Missa Bay. No illnesses have been reported.

The recalled supply was shipped to 36 states for use in McDonald's and Burger King restaurants, as well as Wegmans Food Markets Inc. and WaWa convenience stores. The Missa Bay unit voluntarily recalled nearly 300,000 cases and nearly 300,000 individual packs of fruit and vegetables.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious or life-threatening illness, with symptoms that include fever, muscle aches, nausea or diarrhea.

McDonald's USA spokesperson Danya Proud released the following statement about the recall:

"McDonald's food safety and quality control standards are among the highest in the restaurant industry. We have a long history of leadership in this area and work with suppliers who share our commitment to provide customers with safe, quality menu items.

"In an abundance of caution, we stopped serving all existing apple products from Ready Pac's Missa Bay facility and removed them entirely from our restaurants and distribution centers. This is a precautionary voluntary measure, only. It's important to note that McDonald's has not received any reports of illness with Ready Pac's recall.

"Information about McDonald's apple menu items potentially impacted by this voluntary recall can be found at www.mcdonalds.com or by calling 1-800-244-6227. Apple menu items currently in our restaurants are not affected by this recall.

"Like all food businesses, we are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to look to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide further guidance as more is known."

Read more about equipment and supplies.