Many consider caramel apples more of a Halloween treat than a treat eaten during Christmas.  But health officials are now saying that some brands of prepackaged caramel apples are being recalled due to a type of bacterial food poisoning called listeria.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says investigators have linked the prepackaged caramel apples to 5 deaths and more than two dozen illnesses in several states.  The states where illnesses have occurred include Minnesota, Arizona, California, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.  Two of the 5 deaths have been reported from Minnesota.

The CDC is aware of 28 different cases of consumers getting sick, with 26 of those being hospitalized.  The consumers affected were sick between October 17th and November 27th but it's possible other illnesses have occurred since then.

Investigators are still trying to determine the specific brands of prepackaged caramel apples that are involved, but the CDC is advising consumers to not eat plain prepackaged caramel apples or caramel apples with other toppings such as nuts, chocolate and sprinkles, until more information is known.

 

 

 

 

More From KIKN-FM / Kickin' Country 99.1/100.5