This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Health officials are cautioning Utah shoppers to avoid caramel apples from supermarkets, citing a multi-state outbreak of listeria that is linked to the prepackaged treats.
The only related case of the bacterial illness in Utah involves an adult woman under age 65 who became ill but recovered, said Cindy Burnett, Utah Department of Health epidemiologist.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting five deaths and more than two dozen illnesses in 10 states from Oct. 17 to Nov. 27.
In Utah, the woman ate a caramel apple from a supermarket in November before getting sick, but officials aren't saying which brand or where the apple was purchased.
The bacteria is harmless to most people, but it can be dangerous to newborns, pregnant women and the elderly.
There's no danger in eating regular apples or locally-dipped caramel versions from a gourmet shop, Burnett said. No recalls had been issued as of Friday afternoon.
Anyone who had the store-bought treat from a chain market should see a doctor if they are experiencing symptoms of the foodborne illness, she added.
Symptoms include fever, muscle aches or headaches, flu-like symptoms, dizziness and confusion.
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