UPDATE: Public Health director now warns not to eat recalled caramel apples amid listeria fears

12.25.14: State Heath Officer Dr. Ron Chapman tells News Channel Five that the California Department of Public Health is coordinating with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other state and local agencies in the investigation of 29 cases of Listeriosis in 10 states which appear to be linked to the consumption of multiple brands of caramel apples. All 29 cases have been hospitalized and five deaths have been reported.

A single case-patient in California has died according to the CDPH and News Channel Five has reported death of 81 year old Shirlee Frey of Felton. The family believes a tainted apple contributed to her death. Now they’ve file a wrongful death lawsuit in the case in Santa Cruz County Superior Court.

Happy Apple Company, with manufacturing facilities in Orosi, with is in Tulare County, California and Union, MO, is voluntarily recalling all varieties of Happy Apple Brand Caramel Apples, after learning of the recall of apples used to produce the caramel apples by one of their apple suppliers.

These caramel apples were packaged in clear, plastic containers as a single pack, three pack, four pack, or eight pack. All Happy Apple Brand Caramel Apples with “Best if used by dates” between August 25, 2014 and November 23, 2014 are being recalled.

The Happy Apple Brand caramel apples were sold at multiple retail, club and discount store locations throughout California, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, 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.

Although the recalled caramel apples are not likely to remain on grocery store shelves, consumers may still have the caramel apples in their homes. Anyone in possession of the recalled caramel apples should place them into a garbage bag and dispose of them in the trash.

The CDC continues to recommend that U.S. consumers not eat any commercially produced, pre-packaged caramel apples, including plain caramel apples as well as those containing nuts, sprinkles, chocolate, or other toppings, until the investigation can determine all of the brands that may be implicated in the outbreak. Whole in-tact apples, apple based beverages such as juice or cider, and apple sauce do not appear to be associated with this outbreak.

Symptoms of Listeria infection may include high fever, headache, and neck stiffness. Infants, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at highest risk for severe illness and death. Listeria infection in pregnant women can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth, premature delivery, or infection of the newborn baby. More information is available at the following link: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Pages/Listeriosis.aspx

CDPH recommends consumers experiencing any ill effects after consuming caramel apple products should consult with their health care provider.

12.24.14: On Tuesday, News Channel Five reported that a Felton family is suing a grocery store giant, alleging tainted caramel apples are responsible for a deadly listeria infection that killed 81 year old Shirlee Frey.

Now A Missouri firm is recalling its Happy Apple brand caramel apples because of the potential that they could be contaminated with listeria.

The recall comes after at least three deaths and at least 29 illnesses in 10 states have been linked to an outbreak of the deadly bacteria.

Happy Apple Co. of Washington, Missouri, said in a statement Wednesday that one of the apple suppliers to its California facility reports that there may be a connection between the listeria outbreak and the apples it had supplied. The recall covers 31 states.

The Food and Drug Administration is continuing to advise consumers not to eat prepacked, commercially produced whole caramel apples.