The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is warning Americans to shun all caramel apples due to a deadly multi-state outbreak of Listeria linked to commercially-produced prepackaged caramel apples.
As of January 8, the outbreak has claimed 32 victims and six lives in 11 states, the CDC reports:
- Thirty-one ill people have been hospitalized, and six deaths have been reported. Listeriosis contributed to at least three of these deaths.
- Ten illnesses were pregnancy-related (occurred in a pregnant woman or her newborn infant), with one illness resulting in a fetal loss.
- Three invasive illnesses (meningitis) were among otherwise healthy children aged 5–15 years.
- To date, 23 (88%) of the 26 ill people interviewed reported eating commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples before becoming ill.
The CDC is working with state public health officials and with the U.S. Food and Drug Adinistration (FDA) to investigate the outbreak of the potentially-fatal Listeria monocytogenes.
The FDA is investigating whether there are common sources of caramel, caramel ingredients, sticks, or packaging to these caramel apple makers. Additionally, FDA and state investigators are working to identify the source of the contamination and determine what products may be contaminated.
Symptoms of Listeriosis infection include fever, muscle aches and chills, the FDA warns:
“Listeriosis is a rare but serious illness caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium called Listeria monocytogenes. Anyone who experiences fever and muscle aches, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms, or develops fever and chills after eating commercially-produced, prepackaged caramel apples should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about any history of eating those caramel apples. Symptoms can appear from a few days up to a few weeks after consumption of the contaminated food.”
“Listeriosis can be fatal, especially in certain high-risk groups. These groups include the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems and certain chronic medical conditions (such as cancer). In pregnant women, listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature labor, and serious illness or death in newborn babies.”
CDC’s Advice to Consumers recommends that “U.S. consumers not eat any commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples, including plain caramel apples as well as those containing nuts, sprinkles, chocolate, or other toppings, until more specific guidance can be provided.”
On January 6, 2015, Bidart Bros. of Bakersfield, California voluntarily recalled Granny Smith and Gala apples because environmental testing revealed contamination with Listeria monocytogenes at the firm’s apple-packing facility.
Happy Apples, California Snack Foods, and Merb’s Candies each announced a voluntary recall of commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples after hearing from Bidart Bros., an apple supplier, that there may be a connection between Bidart Bros. apples and this listeriosis outbreak.