Deaths, Illnesses Blamed on Tainted Caramel Apples

By Bea Karnes

A joint investigation is underway by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) into a Listeriosis outbreak that has taken 5 lives and put 26 people in the hospital.

Cases have been reported in 10 states: Arizona (4), California (1), Minnesota (4), Missouri (5), New Mexico (5), North Carolina (1), Texas (4), Utah (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (2).

No recall, but throw away suspected food

Investigators have linked the outbreak to commercially-produced, prepackaged caramel apples. No specific brand has been implicated, so the “CDC recommends that U.S. consumers not eat any commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples, including plain caramel apples as well as those containing nuts, sprinkles, chocolate, or other toppings, until more specific guidance can be provided,” according to a prepared statement.

The outbreak was announced Friday, but cases began showing up in October. It took investigators until now to tie everything together.

Symptoms of Listeriosis

According to the FDA, “Anyone who experiences fever and muscle aches, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms, or develops fever and chills after eating commercially-produced, prepackaged caramel apples should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about any history of eating those caramel apples. Symptoms can appear from a few days up to a few weeks after consumption of the contaminated food.”

--Photos via the CDC