The US Food and Drug Administration

Apples and pre-packed caramel apples

Details of the apples concerned are as follows:
(1) Product name: Gala Apples, "Big B"
Place of origin: USA
Supplier: Bidart Bros.
Batch: produced or sold in 2014

(2) Product name: Granny Smith Apples, "Granny's Best" or "Big B"
Place of origin: USA
Supplier: Bidart Bros.
Batch: produced or sold in 2014

Details of the pre-packed caramel apples concerned are as follows:
(1) Product name: Happy Apple Brand caramel apples
Place of origin: USA
Manufacturer: Happy Apple Company
Use-by date: between August 25 and November 23, 2014
 
(2) Product name: Kroger Brand caramel apples
Place of origin: USA
Manufacturer: Happy Apple Company
Use-by date: between September 15 and November 18, 2014
 
(3) Product name: Kam'l Dapple Brand caramel apples
Place of origin: USA
Manufacturer: California Snack Foods
Use-by date: between August 15 and November 28, 2014

(4) Product name: Bionic Apples and Double Dipped Apples
Place of origin: USA
Manufacturer: Merb's Candies
Period available for sale: between September 8 and November 25, 2014

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) received notification from the US Food and Drug Administration that a number of people in USA and Canada were infected with Listeria monocytogenes recently. Initial investigation revealed that the outbreak might be related to the consumption of pre-packed caramel apples made with apples supplied by Bidart Bros. The apple supplier in question and the manufacturers of caramel apples have been recalling the affected products.

According to the information provided by the American authorities, the affected apples might have been imported to Hong Kong. Regarding the pre-packed caramel apples, no information showed that they had been imported to Hong Kong. Besides, the affected products have either expired or have been suspended from sale.

Listeria monocytogenes can be easily destroyed by cooking but can survive and multiply at refrigerator temperature. Most healthy individuals do not develop symptoms or only have mild symptoms like fever, muscle pain, headache, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea when infected. However, severe complications such as septicemia, meningitis or even death may occur in newborns, elderly and those with a weaker immune system. Although infected pregnant women may just experience mild symptoms generally, the infection of Listeria monocytogenes may cause miscarriage, infant death, preterm birth, or severe infection in the newborns.

The CFS is liaising with the American authorities for further information and has contacted major retailers and related trade in Hong Kong. So far, no vendors were found to have imported the apples in question.

The CFS will alert the trade of the incident, urging them to stop selling and using the products concerned.

The CFS will continue to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate follow-up actions.

The trade should stop using or selling the products concerned immediately.

As the affected products may be sold without indicating their brand names, consumers, if in doubt, should check with respective retailers whether the apples or caramel apples were originated from the American supplier mentioned above. They should seek medical advice if they feel sick after consuming the products concerned.

Consumers should wash fresh fruits with clean water before cutting for consumption. Listeria monocytogenes can be easily destroyed by cooking but can survive and multiply at refrigerator temperature.

The CFS press release