Thinking of getting some caramel apples this holiday season? Be careful. According to a report released by the Centers of Diseases and Prevention (CDC) on Friday, December 19, there were more than 20 reported cases of listeria. The possible culprit? Caramel apples.
The holidays have always been associated with sweets, so it doesn't come as a surprise that sugary treats like caramel apples are selling fast. However, the CDC has warned the public of those that have already been pre-packaged as more people are diagnosed with a serious condition called listeria. In fact, in California, a patient had already died. Meanwhile, of 28 cases, all except 2 had to be admitted to the hospital. Aside from California, these cases were found in 9 more states including Arizona, Minnesota, Missouri, Texas, New Mexico, and Wisconsin.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently investigating the matter as it tries to determine what particular caramel apple products and brands have been infected by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes.
According to Food Safety website, Listeria can contaminate boil soil and water. It may also be present in animals, raw milk, and facilities that process food. The bacterium can stay in the body for 3 to 70 days before the symptoms appear. These include vomiting, weakness, stiff neck, fever, and diarrhea.
Although it affects everyone, it is deadlier among certain groups such as seniors, pregnant women, children including newborn, patients who are under drug therapy to avoid organ transplant rejection, and those who already have a very weak immune system.
While the FDA is trying to identify specific brands, the CDC encourages the public to avoid any pre-packaged caramel apples, even those that are peppered with topping such as nuts and chocolates. There's no reported Listeria case among apples and candies with caramel flavor.
Meanwhile, those who grow and distribute apples in Michigan are confident that the warning and possible recall for caramel apples will not affect the state's thriving apple industry. There's also no reported Listeria case in Michigan.