On Christmas Eve, Happy Apples announced that it had been working with the FDA in its investigation of the current outbreak of Listeriosis that has sickened 31 in the U.S. and Canada, which has been associated with caramel apples. Apparently, Happy Apples recently received notice from Bidart Brothers, one of the apple suppliers to the California facility that there may be a connection between this outbreak and the apples that they supplied to that facility.

Today, California Snack Foods issued a voluntary recall of California Snack Foods brand caramel apples with a best use by date between August 15th and November 28th 2014, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  Happy Apples used the last of the Bidart Brothers apples in the first week of November 2014. The caramel apples produced with Bidart Brothers apples should no longer be available in stores, however, out of an abundance of caution and concern for consumer safety, we are recommending that consumers follow the advice of the CDC and remove any caramel apples you may have in storage and dispose of them in a secure container to avoid potential contamination in animals.

Also today Pacific Coast Fruit announced on its website that it was made aware that Bidart Brothers was recalling apples sold to caramel coated candy apple due to potential contamination with Listeria.  Happy Apples purchased apples from Bidart Brothers and Pacific Coast Fruit in turn distributed Happy Apples to Pacific Coast Fruit customers. Pacific Coast Fruit Company is now in the process of contacting customers and recalling all Happy Apple brand apples sold after September 22, of 2014.

Although likely unrelated, Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. (“Del Monte Fresh”) announced last week an amendment of its press release dated December 10, 2014 to included in its voluntary recall of fresh cut fruit containing Gala red apples grown in Pennsylvania.  Although no illnesses have been reported to date, Del Monte Fresh voluntarily decided to recall the potentially affected lot. The affected product was distributed to a limited number of customers in a few States in North East US and is being recalled because these apples have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  A total of 3,051 consumer packages containing fresh cut red apples were distributed to Giant Eagle, Amazon Fresh, Sunoco, Peter’s Fruit, Wegmans, Sheetz and 7-Eleven and have “Best If Enjoyed By” dates of 12/3/14, 12/6/14, 12/7/14 and 12/8/14. The fresh cut red apples have a red color skin.  Full recall updated recall notice.