An apple recall, that at first was limited to caramel apples, has now been expanded to all Gala and Granny Smith apples distributed last year a California apple packing company.
Bidart Bros. of Bakersfield, California is recalling an unknown number of apples shipped from its Shafter, California packing facility last year. The expanded recall was prompted by a federal investigation of 32 listeria illnesses in 11 states, including as many as six deaths.
Federal health officials warned people in December to avoid commercially-produced caramel apples after they were linked to the illnesses. The outbreak began just before Halloween Bidart Bros. issued a recall Dec. 22 just to customers that produce caramel apples.
After government tests linked the listeria infections to the plant, Bidart Bros. expanded the recall to Granny Smith and Gala apples, last shipped December 2, that may still be in stores.
The apples could have been sold under a variety of brand names including Big B and Granny's Best, or there may be no brand name at all.
Bidart Bros. advised consumers who recently purchased the apples to ask their grocers if the apples were supplied by Bidart Bros.
When contacted, HEB said the Granny Smith and Gala apples currently in stores are not from Bidart Bros., and that is is "highly unlikely" that they had any in stores since November 16, adding no illnesses have been reported.
Sprouts, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's said they do not use Bidart Bros. as a vendor.
Listeria is a foodborne illness that is especially dangerous to pregnant women, newborn babies, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. It rarely causes serious illness in healthy people and can be treated with antibiotics. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, muscle aches and nausea.
The FDA continues to investigate.
In other recall news, Pro Performance is pulling 52,000 SKLZ Resistance Trainers. A weld on a ring on the belt can break, causing the flexible cord to suddenly recoil and injure the exerciser's partner.
Sporting goods stores including Academy Sports and Outdoors and Dick's sold the devices through November. Consumers can get a free replacement.
For more information: www.sklz.com.
Thousands more decorative candles sold at Hobby Lobby have been recalled. The candles, branded DD, were sold in decorative jars and tins and in various scents. The candle's high flame can set the wax on fire. Consumers should return them to the store.
More than 200,000 tealight wax warmers sold at Costco through October have also been recalled because they are a fire danger.
Olympic Mountain Products received nearly two dozen reports of tealights with erratic or high flames, including minor injuries and property damage.
Consumers should return the product to the store for a refund. For more information: www.cpsc.gov.