The Food and Drug Administration said that listeria outbreak is caused by pre-packed consumption of caramel-coated apples. As of Dec. 18, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report about the multi-state Listeria. The said outbreak caused 28 cases of infected people and 5 deaths. FDA investigated different brands as well as types of pre-packed caramel apple in order for them to identify which brand or what are the factors that affect contamination.
The California Department of Public Health said that in California there was a case of Listeria and the patient eventually died. However, the health officials failed to identify where the case occurred or how did it happen.
Listeria is a life-threatening kind of infection. This is actually caused by food that is contaminated by bacteria known as Listeria monocytogenes. Children specifically newborn babies, older people, pregnant women, or people with weak immune system are prone or at risk to this. A person who is infected can experience muscle pains, fever, and gastrointestinal problems.
Out of 28 people reported having such disease, 26 of them needed to be admitted in the hospital. Listeria although can be deadly is treatable with antibiotics. The disease also occurs in Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, and California, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Utah, Wisconsin, and Washington.
As of the result of the FDA's investigation regarding pre-packed caramel apples, it is reported that so far there is negative contamination both coated candy apples and plain apples. Christopher Braden, epidemiologist in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that they are thoroughly investigating the on this and how does caramel apple is linked to this. He also said that there is no reason for people to stop eating apples, but those that are commercially and pre-packed made caramel apples should be thrown away.
