Listeriosis Outbreak: Are My Caramel Apples Safe?
Sixteen brands of caramel apples have been recalled after two people reportedly died due to an outbreak of listeriosis. Additionally, as of last week, 32 people suffered illnesses because of the apples.
According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, 16 brands of Minnesota-produced caramel apples that acquired their fruit from a California company whose apples were allegedly contaminated are now the subject of the recall.
The nationwide outbreak of listeriosis started in the fall. The apple recall involves Granny Smith and Gala apples, provided to candy manufacturers by Bidart Brothers Apple Packing of Shafter, California.
The brands containing the contaminated apples 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
- Wescott
According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, as of last week, deaths and illness were reported in Arizona, California, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Listeriosis is an infection caused by eating food contaminated by the Listeria bacterium, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It typically affects older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems. According to the CDC, there has been one fetal loss associated with the listeriosis outbreak.
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