The caramel apple Listeria outbreak has spread to an 11th state, Nevada. One person from Nevada is among the 32 people who contracted Listeria infections after eating contaminated, prepackaged, commercially prepared caramel apples. Six people have died. By state, the case count is as follows: 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). The outbreak spans a huge age range from babies born prematurely to one case patient who was 92. Ten of the illnesses are associated with a pregnancy, and one pregnant woman has suffered a fetal loss. Three children under the age of 15 have been diagnosed with Listeria meningitis. A link has beeb established to Granny Smith apples … [Read more...]
Caramel Apple Listeria Outbreak Ends 1 Pregnancy in Tragedy
The caramel apple Listeria outbreak has ended one pregnancy in tragedy with a fetal loss is now among the 10 illnesses in this outbreak related to pregnancy. Three of New Mexico’s five cases are newborn boys who developed infections in the womb after their mothers ate contaminated caramel apples. Along with older people and those with compromised immune systems, pregnant women are at high risk for listeriosis. In fact, a pregnant women is 10 times more likely than the general population to contract a Listeria infection. If she does, the infection can pass to her fetus causing miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, listeriosis or Listeria meningitis in the infant, or death. "These cases are so sad. And they are far too common," said Fred Pritzker, a food safety attorney who has … [Read more...]
What You Need to Know About the Caramel Apple Listeria Outbreak
The Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to commercially prepared, prepackaged caramel apple outbreak is scary. Most people wouldn't associate such a product with bacteria contamination, but apples, like every other fruit or vegetable, can carry pathogenic bacteria. Here's what you need to know to protect yourself. According to the CDC, there are 32 people who have been sickened by this outbreak. They live in 11 states: 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). Of the 32 people sickened, 31 have been hospitalized. Six people have died in this outbreak, and three children have developed Listeria meningitis, a serious complication of this infection. Ten of the … [Read more...]
Listeriosis Outbreak Linked to Caramel Apples Jumps to 32 Sick
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have updated the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples. As of December 30, 2014, 32 people are sick in 11 states. There have been six deaths, and 31 of the patients have been hospitalized. The case count per 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). There are additional cases in California (1), Nevada (1), and New Mexico (1). Nevada has been added to the outbreak state list. The dates illnesses began range from October 17, 2014 to December 11, 2014. Ten illnesses have been associated with a pregnancy, and one pregnant woman has suffered a … [Read more...]
Pacific Coast Fruit Joins Caramel Apple Recall
Pacific Coast Fruit of Portland, Ore. is notifying all of its customers who received Happy Apple caramel apples that they have been recalled for Listeria. The company, distributes fruit in Oregon, southwest Washington and British Columbia. Happy Apples ceased production of caramel apples in October as part of a routine, seasonal shut down and the caramel apples produced are no longer available in stores. But a recall has been issued for caramel apples with "best if used by" dates between August 25th and November 23rd. The recall was issued after Bidart Brothers, which supplies apples to the Happy Apple's California facility, notified the company that there may be a connection between a listeriosis outbreak and the apples supplied to that facility. Symptoms Listeria food poisoning can … [Read more...]
Listeria Caramel Apples Sold at Safeway, Walmart, Cub, Sam’s Club, Kwik Trip, Mike’s Discount Foods
The current Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that has sickened at least 29 people in 10 states has been linked to commercially prepared, prepackaged caramel apples sold in several major grocery store chains and big box stores. Recalled caramel apples were sold at Safeway, which has been named in a lawsuit, Walmart, and Sam's Club in several states. In Minnesota, apples associated with the outbreak were sold at Cub, Kwik Trip, and Mike's Discount Foods. These apples are a seasonal product and are no longer available in stores, but consumers may still have them in their homes. The investigation into this outbreak is ongoing, and more stores may be named as officials learn more. For now, if you purchased a prepackaged caramel apple at one of those stores from August to December, 2014, and … [Read more...]
Caramel Apple Listeria Deaths a Focus of Apple Associations
The California Apple Commission is working with other apple producing states and the U.S. Apple Association regarding the outbreak of listeriosis that state and federal health authorities have associated with commercially produced, pre-packaged caramel apples. In a December 23 newsletter piece about the deadly caramel apple outbreak, the state-authorized commission recapped some details of the investigation, quoting a CDC document that said “at this time, no illnesses related to this outbreak have been linked to apples that are not caramel-coated and not prepackaged or to caramel candy.” As the newsletter stated, the investigation is still working to determine specific brands or types of commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples that may be linked to the illnesses. So far, … [Read more...]
Caramel Apple Lawsuit Names Happy Apple, Bidart Brothers, Safeway
A wrongful death lawsuit filed in connection with the caramel apple Listeria outbreak names the apple grower, the caramel apple maker and the store that sold the contaminated product as defendants. Filed on behalf of one of the three people who have died in this 10-state outbreak, the wrongful death lawsuit initially named Safeway, the store where the caramel apple was purchased. But, after a recall was issued, the grower, Bidart Brothers, and the maker, Happy Apple, were added. According to the lawsuit, Shirlee Jean Frey, 81, died after contracting listeriosis from a caramel apple she purchased at Safeway just before Halloween. She began to feel ill the first week of November and was dead one month later. The two other deaths were reported in Minnesota, which has been hard hit by … [Read more...]
Caramel Apple Lawsuit, 3 Listeria Recalls and Bidart Brothers Apples
An outbreak of Listeria infections has prompted three recalls of prepackaged caramel apple products, all connected to Bidart Brothers, an apple supplier in California. The first caramel apple lawsuit was filed in CA, but, according to Listeria lawyer Fred Pritzker, others are sure to follow in the 9 other states where people have been sickened: Arizona (4), Minnesota (4), Missouri (5), New Mexico (5), North Carolina (1), Texas (4), Utah (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (3). The most recent recall was issued by Merb's Candies of St. Louis, MO. Yesterday the company announced a recall of Bionic Apples and Double Dipped Apples because they were made with apples supplied by Bidart Brothers that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. These products were sold by Merb's to St. … [Read more...]
Third Caramel Apple Recall for Listeria Monocytogenes: Merb’s
A third company has voluntarily recalled caramel apples because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. A Listeria outbreak linked to commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples has sickened at least 30 people in 10 states and killed five. Now Merb's Candies is recalling Bionic Apples and Double Dipped Apples. Last week, Happy Apples caramel apples and California Snack Foods Karm'l Dapples were recalled in connection with this outbreak. Their apples were supplied to them by Bidart Brothers, an apple processor and packer, whose products may be associated with this Listeria outbreak. Merb's is recalling Bionic Apples and Double Dipped Apples that were available for sale in St. Louis area locations, through local supermarkets in the produce section, and through mail … [Read more...]
