The California Department of Public Health is warning consumers not to eat commercially prepared, prepackaged caramel apples because of a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak. One person in California has been sickened in this outbreak; overall, there are at least 29 people sick in 10 states.
Happy Apple brand Caramel Apples have been recalled in connection with this outbreak. The company was informed by Bidart Brothers, who also supplied apples to California Snack Foods, which has recalled Karm’l Dapples caramel apples, that their apples may be contaminated with the pathogenic bacteria.
Whole, intact apples, apple based beverages such as juice or cider (as long as they are pasteurized) and applesauce do not appear to be associated with this outbreak at this time. The caramel apple brands associated with this outbreak are no longer on store shelves, but consumers may still have them in their homes.
If you ate any commercially prepared caramel apples this fall, monitor yourself for the symptoms of listeriosis. They include high fever, headache, and neck stiffness, in addition to nausea and diarrhea, confusion, and other flu-like symptoms. Listeriosis in pregnant women can cause stillbirth, miscarriage, and infection in the newborn baby even though those women may only have very mild symptoms. If you do get sick, see your doctor immediately and tell her you ate these apples.
If you purchased any commercially prepared, prepackaged caramel apples, discard them in a double bag and wash your hands thoroughly. Then clean out the cupboard or pantry or fridge where they were stored with a solution of one tablespoon bleach in a gallon of hot water to remove any bacteria that may have been left behind.
