The Minnesota Department of Agriculture just released a list of caramel apple brand names associated with the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that is ongoing in 11 states. The apples were produced using produce from Bidart Brothers Apple Packing of Shafter, California. Bidart Brothers just recalled all of their Gala and Granny Smith apples produced in 2014 after Listeria monocytogenes was found in their packing plant. The recalled brands include 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. These caramel apple brands were sold in Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The products were plain, and … [Read more...]
Listeria Can Grow in Freezer
The ongoing Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples has brought this bacteria into the spotlight. At least 32 people are sickened; 31 have been hospitalized, six people have died, and three children have Listeria meningitis. There are many things we don't know about this pathogen, but we do know it's a tricky little bug. Listeria is present in the environment and can live in the intestines of animals, birds, and people without causing illness. It can also have a long incubation period, up to 70 days, from the time of exposure to when symptoms first appear. But the trickiest thing about Listeria monocytogenes is that it can grow at refrigerator and freezer temperatures which are the traditional preservation methods used for … [Read more...]
Happy Apple Expands Recall to Include Kroger Caramel Apples
Happy Apple Company is expanding their recall of caramel apples to include Kroger brand caramel apples. These apples are associated with the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that has sickened at least 32 people in 11 states and killed six. Three children have developed Listeria meningitis as a result of their illnesses. The Kroger apples have a best use by date between September 15 and November 18, 2014 and were sold in single packs and three packs. They were distributed to retailers in Arizona, Alaska, Kansas, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. You can see pictures of product labels at the FDA web site. Bidart Brothers, one of Happy Apple's suppliers, recently told the company that there may be a connection between the … [Read more...]
Bidart Brothers and the Caramel Apple Listeria Investigation
Food safety investigators in the United States are still probing to decipher what caused the deadly outbreak of Listeria poisoning associated with commercially made caramel apples, including whether there are common sources of caramel, caramel ingredients, sticks, or packaging to the various makers of these caramel apples. So far, the biggest common denominator between companies involved in the recall of potentially contaminated caramel apples is Bidart Brothers, the fruit supplier. Based on documents released so far by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), California-based Bidart Bros. was first briefed about its possible involvement in the outbreak by FDA officials on December 22. On that same day, the company issued a recall of … [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...]
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 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...]
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...]
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...]
