Deadly caramel apples recalled due to Listeria

Happy Apple Company recalls Caramel Apples due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes

 

Happy Apples, is issuing a voluntary recall of Happy Apple Brand caramel apples with a best use by date between Aug. 25 and Nov. 23, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. 


Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Happy Apple caramel apples are sold in single pack, three packs, four packs and eight packs and each package will have a best use by date on the front of the label. 

They were available for retail sale through grocery, discount and club stores, generally in the produce section and were distributed to retailers in the following states: 
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, Wisconsin.

We have been working with the Food and Drug Administration in their investigation of the current outbreak of Listeriosis which has been associated with caramel apples. We recently received notice from Bidart Brothers, one of our apple suppliers to our California facility that there may be a connection between this outbreak and the apples that they supplied to that facility.

As has been reported in the news, the Center for Disease Control has noted 29 illnesses in 10 states linked to the outbreak and they have advised consumers not to eat commercially produced, pre-packaged caramel apples until more is known.

We ceased our operations at the end of October as part of our normal, seasonal shut down and the caramel apples produced are no longer available in stores, however, out of an abundance of caution and concern for consumer safety, we are recommending consumers follow the advice of the CDC and remove any caramel apples you may have in storage and dispose of them in a secure container to avoid potential contamination in animals.

Consumers who have any product may return it to the store where purchased or dispose of it per the advice of the CDC. Consumers with questions may contact us at 800-527-7532 Monday through Friday during normal business hours or via email@customercare@happyapples.com.