Two people in Minnesota have died after having commercially pre-packaged caramel apple. Another two people died and 28 people got sick in 10 different states in the United States after consuming these caramel apples. According to federal health officials on Friday, they are investigating a multi-state Listeria outbreak, which is caused by this caramel apples. Listeria monocytogenes is a life threatening bacteria, which can be fatal to children, elderly and pregnant women. This bacteria can cause miscarriage for the pregnant women. There are nine pregnant women who are infected by this bacteria. The federal health officials are warning consumers about this outbreak, instructing to check the issue and expiry dates and packaging before buying any commercially pre-packed caramel apple, which is popular during the Christmas time.
Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) said after eating these infested foods, within 3 to 70 days people will have muscle ache, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsion. Most of the people who had gotten sick after eating the apple, reported about these symptoms in late October and November. CDC is trying to determine the brand which is responsible for the outbreak. CDC is also warning consumers not to eat caramel apples with nut topping, chocolate or sprinkles, before finding the source of contamination. In a statement CDC said “Out of an abundance of caution, CDC recommends that US consumers do not eat any commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples, including plain caramel apples as well as those containing nuts, sprinkles, chocolate, or other toppings, until more specific guidance can be provided”.
In a press release the federal health officials said, in Minnesota cases caramel apples were purchased form Cub Foods, Kwik Trip, and Mike’s Discount Foods, which belong to the brands Carnival and Kitchen Cravings. But the health officials emphasize that natural apples without caramel coating and non-pre-packed have no relation to these outbreak. According to CDC there are more than 1,600 Listeriosis reported in USA each year.
0 comments:
Post a Comment