Happy Apple brand linked to L. monocytogenes outbreak

Prepackaged caramel apples produced by Happy Apple Company of Washington, Mo., have been linked to an ongoing outbreak of listeriosis, according to an FDA press release.

The company recently issued a recall of Happy Apple Brand caramel apples with a best used by date between August 25 and Nov. 23, 2014 due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

Twenty-nine people in 10 states have been hospitalized with outbreak strains of L. monocytogenes thus far, according to the CDC. Among those hospitalized, five have died.

Happy Apple caramel apples are sold in single, three, four and eight packs and are generally sold in the produce section, according to the press release. Recalled items were distributed to retailers in 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 and Wisconsin.

“Health professionals should inform patients to not eat commercially-produced, prepackaged whole caramel apples, including those containing nuts, sprinkles, chocolate or other toppings, until more specific guidance can be provided,” according to the FDA. “Consumers should throw away any commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples that they may have in their homes until more specific guidance can be provided.”

The FDA recommends that anyone who develops fever or muscle aches, sometimes after diarrhea or other gastrointestinal issues, or experiences fever and chills after eating prepackaged caramel apples should seek medical care and report consumption of caramel apples.