Kitchen

[Deb1010again]

The problem may lie AT THE FACTORY of one of these caramel apple producers. Maybe their manufacturing space isn't the cleanest and that's where the problem is coming from. Most likely IMO. that's what happened with the New England Compounding place where the steroid shots had bacteria in them.

Otherwise it's probably one of the apple places. They've been known to have wet places on the ground and on conveyer belts which is a breeding ground for bad stuff. Just store a few boxes on a wet floor and it starts.

[Deb1010again]

P.S. Did anyone read my post above from Mrs. Prindables? It says they're currently NOT on the list of infected places.

[Pook]

On 12/21/2014 Penellope said:

On 12/21/2014 Pook said:

Commercially produced are ones that are mass produced by machinery and then sent out to stores to sit on the shelves and not the hand dipped ones made elsewhere to order like Mrs Prindables. And yes I think this is turning into mass hysteria here!! I guess some won't ever eat apples or caramel again because it's not know exactly what caused it.

Mrs. Prindable's are commercially mass produced by the thousands in a factory setting, even if they are "hand-dipped". Their ingredients might be purchased from the same suppliers as the others.

They make their own caramel and do not buy mass produced product just to send to stores to sit on their shelves. It appears that the caramel is bought by the suspect companies and not made in house like Mrs Prindables.

[buyornot]

On 12/20/2014 KYToby said:

The OP is correct. Of course, it appears many responders here prefer hysteria an panic to rational thought.

Funny,I don't feel hysterical-just cautious.

[dooBdoo]

So far the CDC hasn't "cleared" anyone and the investigation is still active.

Here's their advice, and it seems pretty clear to me. I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure "commercially produced" is everything that's not homemade:

"Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Commercially Produced, Prepackaged Caramel Apples

Advice to Consumers

The information CDC has at this time indicates that commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples may be contaminated with Listeria. Listeriacan cause a serious, life-threatening illness.

• Out of an abundance of caution, CDC recommends that U.S. consumers not eat any commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples, including plain caramel apples as well as those containing nuts, sprinkles, chocolate, or other toppings, until more specific guidance can be provided.
• Although caramel apples are often a fall seasonal product, contaminated commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples may still be for sale at grocery stores and other retailers nationwide or may be in consumers’ homes.
• These products could have a shelf life of more than one month.

If you have any commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples in your home, throw them away. Place them in a closed plastic bag in a sealed trash can to prevent other people or animals from eating them.

• 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.
• There is no evidence currently linking illnesses to homemade caramel apples. If you are unsure if a caramel apple is commercially produced or homemade, then you should not eat it.
• If you think you might have become ill with signs and symptoms of listeriosis after eating a commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apple, contact your health care provider.
• New information will be provided as it becomes available.

______

Advice to Retail Establishments

The information CDC has at this time indicates that commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples may be contaminated with Listeria. Listeriacan cause a serious, life-threatening infection.

• Out of an abundance of caution, CDC recommends that U.S. retailers not sell or serve commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples, including plain caramel apples as well as those containing nuts, sprinkles, chocolate, or other toppings, until more specific guidance can be provided.
• Although caramel apples are often a fall seasonal product, contaminated commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples may still be for sale at grocery stores and other retailers nationwide.
• These products could have a shelf life of more than one month.

______

link: http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/caramel-apples-12-14/advice-consumers.html

[jc1457]

OP - when I give a gift, I hope that the person who receives it will enjoy it. I am checking the CDC site and I may believe that Prindable apples might be ok, but I can't hand someone a gift and then follow up with info about the CDC website - and expect them to be happy about receiving this apple.

You may feel good about your gift to your co workers - but you are fooling yourself if you think that they ALL walked away happy. I'm sure they were kind and threw the apples away at their own home.

But hey, it's the thought that counts!

[BellaPaprika]

I would not risk serious illness and possibly death just in order to eat a candy apple. Hopefully no one relies on the OP's rather dubious post.

This is the latest being written in the press:

" No brands or manufacturers of the caramel-apple products have been identified and no recall has been issued. CDC officials warned consumers not to eat any of the commercially produced treats while the rapidly evolving investigation continues. That includes plain caramel apples, and those containing nuts, sprinkles, chocolate or other toppings."

[Buckaroo2]

Safe or not who would want to receive this as a gift with what's going on?

[Tigriss]

When the CDC says don't eat any, they mean DO NOT EAT ANY! It is regardless of the brand as they haven't found the source of the issue. They have identified brands that are clearly proved to be consistently tainted, so those brands are being advertised.

THE PROBLEM LIES IN AN UNKNOWN SOURCE, SO THEY ARE ISSUING A STATEMENT TO NOT EAT ANY OF THESE KINDS OF PRODUCTS. P.E.R.O.I.D!!!

PRENDABLES MAY NOT BE ONE OF THE PRODUCT BRANDS LISTED, BUT IT IS THE RIGHT TYPE OF PRODUCT TO NOT EAT.

This is a serious issue especially for children and adults with compromised immune systems, then there is the serious risk to pregnant and nursing mothers. Why chance spreading such a lethal problem to save the reputation of one company, even if that company has not be officially listed, but their types of products have been officially listed on the DO NOT PASS YOUR LIPS LIST! If it is, it is, if it isn't, it isn't, but that is no excuse for ignoring it.

Once the scare is over, Prendables should issue a credit to those for replacement apples for being responsible customers and a responsible company to not jeopardize people's lives because they don't want to play it safe. QVC could split the cost since they sell tons of this product and are part of the responsible parties in doing the socially responsible thing!!! The right thing!

[Mominohio]

On 12/21/2014 Pook said:

Commercially produced are ones that are mass produced by machinery and then sent out to stores to sit on the shelves and not the hand dipped ones made elsewhere to order like Mrs Prindables. And yes I think this is turning into mass hysteria here!! I guess some won't ever eat apples or caramel again because it's not know exactly what caused it.

Oh for heavens sake, these Mrs. P apples are commercially produced. Just who at the CDC defined to you that this brand is not commercial?

As for mass hysteria, I think the OP of this thread is the one hysterical.