2014 Outbreak of Listeria Infections Linked to Commercially Produced, Prepackaged Caramel Apples Made from Bidart Bros. Apples

Posted February 12, 2015 4:30 PM ET

This investigation is closed, and the shelf life of recalled products has passed. Read the Advice to Consumers to learn about products that were recalled.

Highlights
  • Read the Advice to Consumers and Retailers>>
  • This outbreak appears to be over. However, recalled products may still be in people’s homes. Consumers unaware of the recalls could continue to eat the products and get sick.
  • On January 6, 2015, Bidart Bros. of Bakersfield, California voluntarily recalled Granny Smith and Gala apples because environmental testing revealed contamination with Listeria monocytogenes at the firm’s apple-packing facility.
    • On January 18, 2015, FDA laboratory analyses using whole genome sequencing (WGS) showed that these Listeria isolates were highly related to the outbreak strains.
  • Happy Apples, California Snack Foods, and Merb’s Candies each announced a voluntary recall of commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples.
  • A total of 35 people infected with the outbreak strains of Listeria monocytogenes were reported from 12 states.
    • Of these, 34 people were hospitalized. Listeriosis contributed to at least three of the seven deaths reported.
    • Eleven illnesses were pregnancy-related (occurred in a pregnant woman or her newborn infant), with one illness resulting in a fetal loss.
    • Three invasive illnesses (meningitis) were among otherwise healthy children aged 5–15 years.
    • Twenty-eight (90%) of the 31 ill people interviewed reported eating commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples before becoming ill.
  • The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) identified one case of listeriosis in Canada that is genetically related to the U.S. outbreak.

Previous Updates

At a Glance:
  • Case Count: 35
  • States: 12
  • Deaths: 7
  • Hospitalizations: 34
  • Recall: Yes
Caramel Apples

Caramel Apples

CDC recommends that U.S. consumers do not eat any commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples that were made with Bidart Bros. apples produced in 2014.