Caramel Apple Health Warning

Caramel-coated apples can cause diarrhoea, vomiting and even meningitis as they can became a breeding ground for a type of bacterium called listeria?

15:37 18 October 2015

A study shows that caramel-coated apples can become a breeding ground for a type of bacterium called listeria that can cause diarrhoea, vomiting and even meningitis. They explained that inserting a stick into the apple causes a little bit of juice to leak. The moisture is then trapped under the candy layer, making it an ideal place for the bacterium to thrive.

 

In January 2015, a routine testing on caramel apples in the United States revealed contamination with listeria. 34 were admitted to hospital and seven died. Reports say that listeria contributed to at least three of these deaths.  

 

Researcher Dr Kathleen Glass at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Food Research Institute said: "It just didn't make sense to us that people would get sick from the apples. So we wanted to investigate."

 

In their study, the apples on sticks that were dipped into hot caramel and had been stored at room temperature were the ones that grew lots of the bacteria. The researchers said that while caramel and apples are not normal breeding grounds for listeria, they can create a perfect growing environment for any bugs to thrive when combined.

 

Dr Glass said: "It's low risk but it's not no risk. I don't want people to be worried, but it can happen, depending on how they are stored."

 

A Food Standards Agency spokesman said: "Refrigerated storage and shelf life are key food safety controls to prevent listeria growth."