Merb’s Candies of St. Louis, MO, is recalling its Bionic Apples and Double Dipped Apples because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The company’s Bionic Apples and Double Dipped Apples were available for retail sales at St. Louis area locations, through local supermarkets (located in the produce section), and through mail orders nationwide. The product is individually packaged in a clear burgundy-and-gold cellophane bag and would have been available from Sept. 8 through Nov. 25, 2014. No identifying lot codes were used. Merb’s Candies has been working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in its investigation of the current outbreak of Listeriosis, which has been associated with caramel apples. Bidart Brothers of Shafter, CA, which is one of Merb’s Candies apple suppliers, has initiated a recall as there may be a connection between this outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes and apples supplied to Merb’s Candies. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has noted 29 illnesses in 10 states linked to the outbreak, and the agency has advised consumers not to eat commercially produced, pre-packaged caramel apples until more is known. Production of Merb’s Candies’ caramel apples ceased as of Nov. 23 2014, and the caramel apples produced are no longer available for purchase. However, the company recommends that any consumers who are still in possession of caramel apples follow CDC’s advice and dispose of the product in a secure container to avoid potential contamination to animals. Consumers who have any of the recalled product may return it to the store where purchased or dispose of it per the advice of the CDC. Consumers with questions may email the firm at customercare.merbscandies@gmail.com or call (314) 832-7206 during normal business hours Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST. Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.