Caramel apples (Photo : Reuters)
California health agencies are currently on high alert after a listeria outbreak has been recorded in the state. The outbreak was brought upon by contaminated pre-packed caramel apples.
Recent health bulletins have reported that aside from California, nine other states are also affected by the outbreak. Listeria poisoning incident were also reported in New Mexico, Minnesota, Missouri, Arizona and Texas. Reports confirmed that three deaths might have direct connection to the listeria outbreak. Government agencies have yet to determine which specific caramel apple brand was responsible for the outbreak and have already sent out warnings about staying away from consumption of the said product until further notice. Grocery stores and different mall chains around the United States have already pulled out caramel apple products on their shelves in order to prevent the further spread of the bacteria.
A total of five deaths were recorded by the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention ever since the outbreak began. Three of the reported deaths have direct connection to the listeria infection. The agency added that the three were confirmed to have consumed caramel apples before their death. No report as to what brand of caramel apple was eaten
Currently, there are warnings from the FDA and CDC against processed caramel apples consumption. Stores ended the distribution of the products but it is feared that some contaminated caramel apples might is still in some store shelves and might be in people's homes already.
The last recorded listeria outbreak in the United States was in 2011 when a cantaloupe affected the bacteria were distributed in various stores in the country. Listeria is a very rare disease and has a mortality rate one in every five patients. The most common victims of this infection are pregnant mothers and children. Health agencies all over the United States have already issued notices that if a family member became ill after caramel apple consumption, they are strictly required to visit a physician to prevent further complications.
