Del Monte Issues Voluntary Class I Recall For Gala Apples

By Laurel Maloy, contributing writer, Food Online

Though no infections have been reported to date, Del Monte issued the recall out of caution. Currently, the recall is only for fresh-fruit products containing Gala apples grown in PA and distributed in the northeast. All of the apples are in fresh-cut fruit packages boxed in clear, plastic containers. The products were distributed to seven different retailers, including Amazon, though the number of affected packages through Amazon totals only 21. The Amazon packages are marketed under both the Del Monte and Nature Made brands.

The pathogen was discovered through random testing performed by the Division of Food Safety of the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The FDA was notified on December 9, 2014 and issued a press release the following day from its Coral Gable, FL office, in conjunction with the recall released by Del Monte Fresh.

A combined total of 3,051 packages were distributed to 7-Eleven, Amazon Fresh, Giant Eagle, Peter’s Fruit, Sunoco, Wegmans, and Sheetz. The packages are clearly marked with “Best If Enjoyed By” dates of 12/3/14, 12/6/14, 12/7/14, and 12/8/14. All display the lot number: 2332101. Photos of the product labels are available here. The majority of the packages in question have most likely been consumed or already pulled from retail shelves.

Consumers may call (800) 659-6500 24 hours a day or email Del Monte Fresh at Contact-US-Executive-Office@freshdelmonte.com.

This recall could have been prevented by on-site, on-shift testing. At the very least, less of the product would have been distributed to retailers and sanitation procedures could have commenced immediately. New technologies for pathogen testing have evolved. Sample6 offers DETECT/L, an enrichment-free, on-site, in-shift pathogen test. Dupont, a subsidiary of Qualicon, Inc., offers BAX^®, a genetic-based, simple to use testing procedure providing results for both environmental and product samples within 48 hours. InstantLabs, FoodChek, and BioRad all have 24 and 48 hour tests for various strains of Listeria, with and without enrichment phases. The options are numerous and competition for the market is fierce.  

The cost? Most likely negligible compared to the price a facility or entire company pays when a recall or outbreak occurs. Most experts will probably agree that the cost of preventions is well worth the elevation of consumer confidence and a safer food-supply chain.