The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) is working with FDA and public health officials in several states to investigate an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes linked to commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples. The caramel apples were bought at supermarkets in single or 3 pack plastic clamshell packaging. There is no specific product or company linked to the outbreak at this time, and therefore there is no food recall yet.
To date, there have been 29 illness cases reported from 10 states, including 26 hospitalizations and 5 deaths. There has been one associated illness case in WA (Thurston County). For additional details about the multistate listeriosis outbreak, see the following link:
http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/caramel-apples-12-14/index.html
CDC is recommending the public not to eat any commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples at this time. We concur with this recommendation. For additional guidance from DOH, see our newsroom update at: http://www.doh.wa.gov/Newsroom.