Four people in Arizona have been sickened by Listeria in caramel apples. The cases are part of an 11-state outbreak that has sickened 32 people, killing seven of them.
Three of the case patients, who range in age from newborn to 76, are female. All of them required hospitalization. No fatalities were reported, Food Poisoning Bulletin has learned.
Geographically, the cases were spread throughout the state reported from Apache County, in the northeast, Coconino County in the north central part of the state and Maricopa County in south central Arizona.
The outbreak has been linked to apples packed at Bidart Brothers in Shafter, Calif. The company has recalled a full year of Granny Smith and Gala apples packed at the plant. A complete list of stores and brand names has not been released.
Here’s what is known so far.
Granny’s Best is one brand recalled Granny Smith apples from Bidart Bros were sold under. Big B is one brand recalled Bidart Bros. Gala apples were sold under.
Recalled Happy Apples brand caramel apples were sold at Walmart, Sam’s Club, Kroger, Safeway, United Supermarkets, Amigos, Albertsons Market, Market Street and United Express stores under the brand names Happy Apple and Kroger.
Merb’s Candies brand caramel apples were recalled from stores in the St. Louis area.
California Snack Foods Karm’l Dapple caramel apples were sold at grocery, discount, and club stores in Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, and Utah. There are illnesses in Arizona, California, Texas, and Utah
In Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan, the following brands of caramel apples were recalled: Aamodt’s, Abdallah, Angeli Foods, Candy Jar, Carnival, Celebration, Circle K, Finnottes, Grandma Bev’s, Jerry’s Foods, Karamel King, Kowalski’s Markets, Kitchen Cravings, Lunds & Byerly’s, Supermom’s, and Wescott.
Caramel apples sold at Smith’s Food and Drug in New Mexico have been linked to the outbreak.
The case count by state is: Arizona (4), California (2), Minnesota (4), Missouri (5), Nevada (1), New Mexico (6), North Carolina (1), Texas (4), Utah (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (3). Ten illnesses were pregnancy-related, including at least three premature deliveries and one fetal loss. Three children between the ages of 5 and 15 years have developed Listeria meningitis, a serious complication, as a result of the infection.
