Listeria Flourishes On Caramel Apples If Stored In Room Temperature: Study

Researchers say caramel-coated apples may be delicious, but it can be danger to eat too. It becomes contaminated with Listeria if put on a stick and stored at room temperature. It is suggested to eat them fresh or to store in fridge if wanted to safe eating.

The study adds further that apples are too acidic for bacteria to thrive. Sticks poked into caramel-coated apples releases juice to make perfect place for Listeria bacteria to grow.

Listeria outbreak in 2014 infected 35 people and killed seven. It also caused one miscarriage. After investigation it was found pre-packaged caramel apples were the cause of outbreak. However, it was also found neither the raw apples nor the hot caramel are breeding grounds for the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.

In the latest study researchers from University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Food Research Institute said the sticks that are used to dip caramel apples are to be blamed for Listeria and the apples which are stored at room temperature risks the highest.

In 2015 couple of US companies recalled caramel apples voluntarily after finding Listeria contamination at an apple-packing facility.

Listeria infection causes nasty stomach ache. It is highly vulnerable to the very old, very young and people with weakened immune systems.

According to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about 1,600 people get sick every year with Listeria contamination in the US and around 260 deaths take place.