Packer Says Brushes Contaminated Apples

Brushes on the fruit-packing line may have contaminated some apples later exported to Japan with traces of fungicide, a Northwestern Fruit and Produce Co. officer says.

As a precaution, new brushes are being installed on the fruit packing line, said Mike Saunders, president of Northwestern Fruit. The brushes are used to clean and dry fruit and apply waxes.