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 … [Read more...]
Texas Hit Hard by Caramel Apple Listeria Outbreak
Texas has been hit hard by the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to commercially prepared, prepackaged caramel apples. At least four people are sick with listeriosis in that state. One person has died. All of the case patients have been hospitalized and had pre-existing conditions. Listeriosis, the illness caused by the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, can be serious and deadly, especially for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems and chronic health conditions. Healthy people can become seriously ill as well. The symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, diarrhea, and nausea. Two varieties of commercially prepared caramel apples have been recalled in relation to this outbreak. Happy Apple caramel apples … [Read more...]
Caramel Apple Listeria Outbreak Draws Varied State Responses
Minnesota, New Mexico, Utah and California are among the states to contribute their own public alerts and announcements about the caramel apple Listeria outbreak that has been associated with four deaths, three cases of bacterial meningitis and nine serious illnesses among pregnant women and babies. The visible involvement by health departments in those states to combat the outbreak and educate citizens stands in contrast to public silences kept by other states where people have been confirmed as case patients. "States contributing to the public awareness of this outbreak are helping to save lives,'' said Fred Pritzker, a food safety lawyer who represents Listeria outbreak victims. "They haven't been afraid to stand behind their science and call out makers of commercially produced … [Read more...]
If You Purchased Happy Apple Caramel Apples, Here’s What to Do
A Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has been linked to commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples and has sickened dozens of people. Five people have died in connection with this outbreak. Brands that may be associated with this outbreak include Carnival and Kitchen Cravings apples sold in Minnesota, and Happy Apple caramel apples sold in various states. Happy Apple issued a recall for all of these caramel apples with a best by date between August 25 and November 23, 2014. Those apples are no longer available in stores, but they do have a shelf life of up to a month. Consumers may still have them in their homes. The recalled apples were sold in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, … [Read more...]
Karm’l Dapples Caramel Apples Recalled for Possible Listeria
California Snack Foods is issuing a voluntary recall of California Snack Foods brand Karm'l Dapples caramel apples because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. All styles of Karm'l Dapples are recalled. There is a 10-state outbreak of listeriosis linked to caramel apples that has sickened at least 29 people and killed five. Bidart Brothers, who also supplied Happy Apple caramel apple manufacturers with apples, notified California Snack Foods that there may be a connection between that outbreak and apples supplied to them. The recalled products have a "best use by" date between August 15 and November 28, 2014. They were sold in single packs and three packs. Each package has the best use by date on the front of the label. They were sold through grocery, … [Read more...]
FDA Statement on Caramel Apple Listeria Outbreak
On Christmas Day, the FDA issued a statement on the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to commercially prepared caramel apples. As of December 22, 2014, 29 people in 10 states have been sickened in this outbreak, and five deaths have been reported. Nine of the illnesses were pregnancy-related. Public health officials interviewed 23 people in this outbreak; 20 of them ate commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples before they got sick. The Minnesota Department of Health reported four illnesses. Those people bought caramel apples from Cub Foods, Kwik Trip, and Mike's Discount Foods, which sold Carnival and Kitchen Cravings brand caramel apples that are no longer available. On December 24, 2014, the Happy Apple Company of Washington, Missouri voluntarily recalled their … [Read more...]
Lawsuit Prompts Happy Apple Caramel Apples Recall
A wrongful death lawsuit and Listeria outbreak has prompted Happy Apple Company to recall caramel apples with a best use by date between August 25th and November 23rd, 2014. The recall was issued on Christmas Eve. According to the Complaint (a document filed with the court), in late October, 2014, Shirlee Frey went to the Safeway store in Felton, California. While there she purchased a prepackaged caramel apple and later ate it. About a week later, she began to feel ill. On December 2, 2014, the family was informed that Mrs. Frey was suffering from literiosis (a Listeria infection). She died that day. The listeriosis wrongful death lawsuit was filed on behalf of Mrs. Frey's family on December 22, 2014. On Christmas Eve, Happy Apple Company announced the caramel apple recall. Happy … [Read more...]
From Caramel Apples to Sprouts, Listeria Recalls and Outbreaks in 2014
From caramel apples to soybean sprouts, Listeria made its way into a number of foods this year. Sometimes, there were recalls, other times there were outbreaks of illness. Every Listeria outbreak this year included fatalities. During 2014 a variety of foods were recalled for Listeria contamination. They include: cheese, ice cream, bagged salad, peanut butter, salsa, spreads, mangos, walnuts, crab meat, egg salad, smoked salmon, vending machine sandwiches, peaches and other stone fruits, caramel apples, bean sprouts, yogurt, anchovies and caramel apples. In some cases, illnesses were reported in association with eating food contaminated with Listeria. There have been four multistate Listeria outbreaks this year. All of them included fatalities. Listeria illnesses have prompted a … [Read more...]
Listeria Outbreak in Canada Associated with Imported U.S. Caramel Apples
The Public Health Agency of Canada is reporting that two people are sick with listeriosis in Canada with the same genetic fingerprint as seen in the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak in the U.S. that is linked to commercially produced caramel apples. The outbreak in the United States has sickened at least 29 people and killed five. Public health officials are investigating to see if these people consumed prepackaged caramel apples imported from the U.S. Public officials in Canada are advising that Canadians do not eat commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples imported from the United States until further notice. This includes plain caramel apples as well as those made with nuts, sprinkles, chocolate, or other toppings. The products have a shelf life of one month so people may have … [Read more...]
