Author: Tony Coveny, Ph.D

As the New Year begins, the number of victims tied to the Caramel Apple Listeria outbreak of 2014 continues to grow. There are now 32 cases in the U.S., 31 of who have been hospitalized subsequent to listeriosis, and another 2 reported in Canada. The 32 U.S. victims come from across the nation, including 6 victims from New Mexico, 5 victims from Missouri, 4 victims from Arizona, Minnesota and Texas, 3 from Wisconsin, 2 from California, and 1 from Nevada, North Carolina, Utah, and Washington. These illnesses have led to a number of recalls so far, including recalls by Happy…

Merb’s Candies, with locations in Saint Louis, Sappington and Ballwin, Missouri, has just issued a recall of two of its most popular caramel apple products, including Bionic Apples and Double Dipped Apples. According to the release, these apples may possibly carry Listeria monocytogenes. Merb’s issues the recall after being notified by one of its apple suppliers, Bidart Brothers, that there may be a connection between those apples and a nation-wide outbreak of Listeriosis among consumers of caramel apples. So far there are 30 confirmed cases of Listeriosis in at least 10 states, including Missouri. As many as five of the…

California Snack Foods, of S. El Monte, CA, has issued a recall of its caramel apples, or “Karm’l Dapples,” following the possible link between its product and a nation-wide outbreak of Listeria that has turned deadly – killing as many as five individuals. The Karm’l Dapples being recalled are dated with a “best use by” between the 15th of August and the end of November, 2014. The Karm’l Dapples were sold in single and three-pack containers, which includes nut, Rainbow Sprinkle, and crunch covered caramel, as well as both seasonal (Halloween) and regular packaging. And while the product is no…

At least 29 cases of Listeria have been reported now, though many more are suspected in a nation-wide outbreak that has been linked to caramel covered apples sold in single, three, four and eight packs of various styles of caramel apples. In addition to many stores pulling all brands of caramel apples from their shelves, the Happy Apple Company, based in Washington, Missouri, has announced that one if its California apple suppliers has indicated a possible link between its products and the outbreak. As a result, the Happy Apple Company is recalling all products with a “best use by date”…

Federal agencies have yet to name particular brands or stores in their investigation of a nation-wide outbreak of Listeria linked to prepackaged caramel apples, although some states are naming names. Minnesota has named two brands, including Carnival and Kitchen Cravings brands, as well as the stores where the products were sold, which include Cub Foods, Kwik Trip and Mike’s Discount Foods. According to health officials, both of those brands of caramel apples are distributed by a Minnesota company, H. Brooks & Company. But other retailers are taking action on their own, and out of an abundance of caution Safeway stores…

Health department officials in Minnesota have now named at least two of the brands implicated in the 10-State Caramel Apple Listeria outbreak that has allegedly killed five people in an outbreak linked to at least 28 illnesses. Two of those fatalities from Caramel Apples were in Minnesota. And victims include at least nine pregnant women – Listeria is especially dangerous to pregnant women, and can cause miscarriages and still births. The CDC and FDA have stated that as of yet, there have been no confirmed still-births or miscarriages in this outbreak. Carnival Caramel Apples and Kitchen Cravings Caramel Apples are…

Target and other stores in Texas have reportedly withdrawn prepackaged caramel apples from their stores as at least five in-state caramel listeria apple victims have been identified as victims of a nation-wide Listeria outbreak. Nation-wide, at least 28 victims have been laboratory confirmed in this outbreak, and at least five have died nation-wide, with one of those in Texas. And 9 of the victims have been pregnant women, a fact that is particularly worrisome due to the link between listeria and still births, miscarriages, and other pregnancy complications. Texas Listeria Lawyers at Ron Simon & Associates, whose office is located…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is spearheading an investigation into at least five fatalities from listeriosis, caused by ingestion of the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. According to the, CDC, public health officials in at least 10 states have reported at least 28 listeria cases been linked to this single outbreak. The affected states include Arizona, Texas, and Minnesota with 4 reported cases each; Missouri and New Mexico with 5 reported cases each; Wisconsin with 2 reported cases; and Utah, Washington, North Carolina, and California each with a single reported case. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its list of confirmed victims in the outbreak of sprouts that has been traced back to mung bean sprouts distributed by Wonton Foods of New York. According to the CDC, as of Monday there were 111 confirmed cases in this wide-spread outbreak affecting consumers in at least 12 states, including Connecticut (8), Maine (4), Maryland (5), Massachusetts (35), Montana (1), New Hampshire (6), New York (21), Ohio (3), Pennsylvania (17), Rhode Island (7), Vermont (3) and Virginia (1). Maryland is the latest state to identify victims. This Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak…

According to a letter from Michael J. Moore, the director of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Food Protection Program, at least 19 cases of salmonella have been traced to 10 different events held at the Delaney House between the 11th and 15th of November, 2014. In this letter to Holyoke Board of Health (HBH) Assistant Director, Katie Gallagher, Moore noted that, of the employees tested for the outbreak strain of salmonella, at least 6 tested positive, including 5 of whom handled food. Some of those ill employees also worked at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting Hall, and at…