The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is advising consumers of the possible Listeria contamination of whole caramel-covered apples produced in Minnesota. This advisory is part of a larger recall of Granny Smith and Gala apples from Bidart Brothers Apple Packing of Shafter, California. The Bidart Brothers apples were recalled due to the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. A total of 32 illnesses have been identified as a part of a national outbreak of listeriosis. Four people in Minnesota have become ill as a part of the outbreak. The caramel apple brands listed below are no longer available in stores; however, consumers with these caramel apples in their household should dispose of the product.

The following brands of caramel apples were produced in Minnesota in 2014 using Bidart Brothers apples which have now been recalled:

Aamodt’s Caramel Apples
Abdallah Caramel Apples
Angeli Foods Caramel Apples
Candy Jar Caramel Apples
Carnival Caramel Apples
Celebration Caramel Apples
Circle K Caramel Apples
Finnottes Caramel Apples
Grandma Bev’s Caramel Apples
Jerry’s Foods Caramel Apples
Karamel King Caramel Apples
Kowalski’s Markets Caramel Apples
Kitchen Cravings Caramel Apples
Lunds & Byerly’s Caramel Apples
Supermom’s Caramel Apples
Wescott Caramel Apples

These brands of whole caramel apples were sold in Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan. In addition to caramel, the apples may be covered with toppings such as nuts and chocolate. The above products are no longer available in stores.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, listeriosis infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.