The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning Americans not to eat pre-packaged caramel apples because of an outbreak of listeriosis.
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As of Monday, 29 cases of the disease had been linked to commercially-produced caramel apples in 10 states. All 29 cases required hospitalization, and five people have died.
No cases have been confirmed in South Dakota, but Minnesota has reported four cases and two deaths.
The South Dakota Department of Health has urged consumers to avoid the products.
The disease is caused by the bacteria listeria monocytogenes and is treatable with antibiotics.
Minnesota is pretty close to home, said Lon Kightlinger, South Dakota’s state epidemiologist.
I don’t know that we’ve had any of these (sold) in South Dakota, but it’s concerning, Kightlinger said.
Listeriosis primarily affects pregnant women, older adults and those with weakened immune systems. The Department of Health warning says it is very uncommon in children and healthy adults.
Symptoms include diarrhea, followed by fever and body aches. Symptoms in pregnant women generally are mild, but the disease can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or infection of a newborn.
Nine of the illnesses reported nationwide involved pregnant women or a newborn infant, but not miscarriages have been reported.
Brian Monahan, manager of Sunshine Foods in downtown Sioux Falls, said his store doesn’t have any commercially packaged caramel apples for sale.
I haven’t had any pre-packaged caramel apples for a few months, Monahan said.
A spokeswoman for Hy-Vee said the company has instructed its 235 stores to remove any commercially produced, pre-packaged caramel apples that may be on their shelves.
We make fresh caramel apples in our stores, so customers will still see this variety offered at their local Hy-Vee over the holidays, spokeswoman Tara Deering-Hansen said.
Walmart spokesman Brian Nick said the company sent a notice of the CDC’s warning to its stores last week. There are three Walmart stores and one Sam’s Club in Sioux Falls.
As soon as we learned about it, we put a notice out to let our stores and clubs know not to sell those products, Nick said.
The concern from the CDC is about consumers who may have the products at home.
It’s probably best to avoid them, or just make them at home, Kightlinger said. Everybody’s making candy over the holidays already, so just make them at home.