Halloween treat Listeria connection low states MPH Program’s Schaffner
A deadly 2014 Listeria outbreak linked to caramel apples has puzzled researchers attempting to understand how the favorite Halloween treat could be the source of the deadly bacteria.
The 2014 outbreak left at least seven dead and 35 infected, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, said that while cases of Listeria linked to caramel apples remain low, those concerned can trade in the sweet treat for a fresh apple that is carefully washed with soap in the sink.