Happy Apple Company of Washington, MO, has issued a voluntary recall of Happy Apple Brand caramel apples with a best use by date between Aug. 25 and Nov. 23, 2014, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Happy Apple caramel apples are sold in single pack, three packs, four packs and eight packs, and each package will have a best use by date on the front of the label. The apples were available for retail sale through grocery, discount and club stores, generally in the produce section, and were distributed to retailers in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin. The company has been working with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in its investigation of the current outbreak of Listeriosis, which has been associated with caramel apples. Happy Apple recently received notice from Bidart Brothers, one of its apple suppliers to the company’s California facility, that there may be a connection between this outbreak and the apples supplied to that facility. As has been reported in the news, the Centers for Disease Control (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. Happy Apple ceased operations at the end of October as part of its normal, seasonal shutdown, and the caramel apples produced are no longer available in stores. However, the company is recommending that consumers follow the advice of CDC and remove any caramel apples in storage and dispose of them in a secure container to avoid potential contamination in animals. Consumers who have any of the product may return it to the store where purchased or dispose of it per the advice of the CDC. Consumers with questions may contact Happy Apple at 800-527-7532, Monday through Friday during normal business hours, or via email to customercare@happyapples.com. 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.