March 28, 2024

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...]

Largest Multistate Outbreaks of 2014 #4: Caramel Apples

The current ongoing outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes linked to commercially prepared, prepackaged caramel apples is the fourth largest of 2014, although that may change before the year ends. As of December 22, 2014, at least 29 people in 10 states have been sickened in this outbreak. All 29 people have been hospitalized, and five people have died. Three cases of Listeria meningitis have been reported among otherwise healthy children. The government has taken the unusual step of telling consumers to avoid eating any commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples until further notice, since they do not know exactly which brands were contaminated. Three companies have issued recalls of their caramel apple products: Happy Apples, California Snack Foods' Karm'l Dapples, and Merb's … [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...]

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...]

Caramel Apple Outbreak: History of Apple Recalls for Listeria

The recent outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes linked to commercially prepared, prepackaged caramel apples in the U.S. may seem surprising. After all, caramel apples are hardly a food one thinks of in relation to food poisoning. But in the past two years, there have been a few recalls of apples products for this bacteria, so the outbreak is not unprecedented, although no illnesses were reported linked to the recalls below. Earlier this month, Giant Eagle recalled their Apple Pistachio Salad, plain and with chicken because they may have contained fresh cut Gala red apples recalled by Del Monte Fresh Produce for possible Listeria contamination. The Del Monte recall was for apple slices, apple slices with dip, apples with cheese, snack packs, pineapple medley, apples with grapes and cheese, … [Read more...]

Listeriosis Caramel Apples Outbreak, CDC Update

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have updated the listeriosis outbreak linked to commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples. As of December 22, 2014, 29 people in 10 states are sick. The new illness is someone in Wisconsin. All of the 29 people sickened in this outbreak have been hospitalized. There have been five deaths. No official recall has been issued, although some brands of caramel apples have been removed from store shelves. The government recommends that U.S. consumers do not eat any commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples, including plain caramel apples as well as the fancier varieties that include nuts, sprinkles, chocolate, or other toppings. These products have a shelf life of more than a month. Some of these products may still be in … [Read more...]

Five Caramel Apple Listeria Case Patients Have Died

Of the five deaths so far associated with the U.S. caramel apple Listeria outbreak, two in Minnesota and one in California were unquestionably caused by listeriosis,  said officials in those states. In Texas, health authorities are unsure is listeriosis was the primary cause of death in one of that state's four case patients. And in Missouri, the death of a caramel apple Listeria patient was unrelated to listeriosis, the state has noted. With new developments unfolding quickly in this outbreak, the death toll could rise. The law firm of Pritzker Hageman is hearing from families affected by the outbreak and expect even more people to be confirmed as case patients. The initial caramel apple Listeria report from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is that 28 people from 10 … [Read more...]

New Mexico Caramel Apple Listeria Toll Could Climb

The number of people in New Mexico infected by Listeria from caramel apples could be more than five, a number that only one other state has matched in the ongoing state and federal investigation of a deadly listeriosis outbreak. The New Mexico Department of Health said work is ongoing to identify additional cases in the state. So far, more than one New Mexico baby has been diagnosed with Listeria while other case patients range in age up to 42. "These cases reside in Bernalillo, McKinley, and Lea counties and became ill in October and November,'' according to a caramel apple Listeria health alert from the department. "All were hospitalized and are recovering.'' Of 10 states confirmed by the CDC to be part of this outbreak, only Missouri was reported initially to have as many cases as … [Read more...]

Listeria Causes Three Deadly Multistate Outbreaks in 2014

A Listeria outbreak linked to mung bean sprouts is one of three deadly multistate outbreaks in 2014. And all three of the deadly outbreaks were caused by was Listeria. A rare and deadly foodborne pathogen, Listeria is often associated with ready-to-eat deli meats, soft cheeses and smoked fish. Of the 1,600 people diagnosed with listeriosis each year, 1,500 require hospitalization and 260 die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Listeria poses a special risk for children, seniors, pregnant women and others with compromised immune systems. Among pregnant women, listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery and birth defects. "These cases are so sad," said Fred Pritzker, Food Poisoning Bulletin publisher and food safety attorney who … [Read more...]

Judge Orders Cantaloupe Listeria Cases Against Primus Labs Move Forward

District Court Judge Charles Pratt has ordered that dozens of cases filed against Primus Labs in connection with a the deadly cantaloupe Listeria outbreak of 2011 move forward. Primus, a third-party auditor,  gave cantaloupe grower Jensen Farms a superior rating just weeks before the outbreak. In January, Primus filed a motion to dismiss the cases saying that the damage caused by the contaminated cantaloupe was outside its control. On October 28, Judge Pratt denied the motion saying, "the auditor should have reasonably recognized that the audit was necessary to protect the public from exposure and consumption of harmful cantaloupe" and that "failure to exercise reasonable care in conducting the audit increased the risk to the public from exposure to and consumption of harmful … [Read more...]

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