Kitchen

[RedTop]

My family and I have been eating on the apples since they were delivered two weeks ago. There are 5 apples left, and we have decided we're not stopping now. Each person has to make their own decision about this situation and our decision was based on what we know, not what we fear.

[NYC Susan]

On 12/23/2014 Lila4now said:

I wouldn't stake my health on QVC, or Mrs. Prindables. No matter what QVC, or Mrs. Prindables says, I'm going with the CDC. The CDC doesn't make decisions based on income. I would for sure return them. I just don't believe either of them above what the CDC says.

I'm with you 100%. I love Mrs. P's apples, but they're certainly not good enough to take a risk, even if that risk is very, very tiny.

And the CDC is the final word, IMO. They have nothing to gain or lose, not to mention that they are far more qualified to make these kinds of determinations than QVC, Mrs. Prindables, or any poster here.

We can all make our own decisions, of course, but it's beyond my understanding why anyone would choose to eat one of these apples at this point in time. What's the compelling reason to not wait until the CDC's investigation is complete? (Rhetorical question - I don't actually expect answers!)

[VaBelle35]

I don't think they know for sure it's in the caramel. It may be on the equipment that pours/sprays the caramel onto the apples or sprays the candy onto the caramel. They could be too hot when they wrap them in plastic.

They don't know a lot at this point, do they? If they haven't found the ground zero brand/factory yet, I don't think they can pinpoint what exactly the cause is. I suspect all the people at an apple with caramel (but probably various coatings) so that's why they are saying any caramel apple at this point.

[VaBelle35]

• To date, 20 (87%) of the 23 ill people interviewed reported eating commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples before becoming ill.
• At this time, no illnesses related to this outbreak have been linked to apples that are not caramel-coated and not prepackaged or to caramel candy.

[coldlake]

Not everyone who eats a tainted food will get sick, which is one of the things that makes it so hard to pin down a source. Just because someone has consumed something and been "fine" doesn't mean the item is safe for others, and possibly not all similar products have the same level of contamination.

[VaBelle35]

True. I think your immune system, gut bacteria and intestinal enzymes can help you here, People who are already ill (and there are a number of pregnant women who are ill with this) are probably more susceptible than a healthy person who has a robust constitution.