Happy Apples Brand Recalls Caramel Apples Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

A Missouri firm issued a voluntary recall of Happy Apples Brand caramel apples with a best use date between Aug. 26 and Nov, 23 after the prepackaged apples were linked to an outbreak of listeria food poisoning that killed five people and sickened two dozen more in 10 states.

Happy Apples issued a voluntary recall this week of the their prepackaged apples because the company said the product has the potential to be contaminated withListeria, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Happy Apple caramel apples are sold in single pack, three packs, four packs and eight packs and each package will have a best use by date on the front of the label. The caramel apples were available for retail sale through grocery, discount and club stores, generally in the produce section and were distributed to retailers in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin.

The company said they have been working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in their investigation of the current outbreak of Listeriosis which has been associated with caramel apples.

“We recently received notice from Bidart Brothers, one of our apple suppliers to our California facility that there may be a connection between this outbreak and the apples that they supplied to that facility,” according to a news release.

The Center for Disease Control has noted 29 illnesses in 10 states linked to the outbreak and they have advised consumers not to eat commercially produced, pre-packaged caramel apples until more is known.

Prepackaged Caramel Apples Lead to 5 Deaths and Two Dozen People Hospitalized

“We ceased our operations at the end of October as part of our normal, seasonal shut down and the caramel apples produced are no longer available in stores,” according to Happy Apples. “However, out of an abundance of caution and concern for consumer safety, we are recommending that consumers follow the advice of the CDC and remove any caramel apples you may have in storage and dispose of them in a secure container to avoid potential contamination in animals.”

Consumers who have any product may return it to the store where purchased or dispose of it per the advice of the CDC. Consumers with questions may contact us at (800) 527-7532 Monday through Friday during normal business hours or via email@customercare@happyapples.com.