A girl sells caramel apples during Saint Peter and Saint Paul's Day celebrations on Pucusana beach in Lima June 29, 2010. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares
A girl sells caramel apples during Saint Peter and Saint Paul's Day celebrations on Pucusana beach in Lima June 29, 2010. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares REUTERS/Pilar Olivares

Authorities of Canada's Public Health Agency have issued a stern warning to Canadians not to not eat commercially produced and prepackaged caramel apples imported from the U.S. after two cases of listeriosis have erupted in Ontario and in Manitoba.

The Public Health Agency of Canada, or PHAC, said on Tuesday the two cases bore the same genetic fingerprint that has been discovered in the U.S. investigation. Investigators are now trying to determine if the listeriosis found in them came from consuming the prepackaged caramel apples imported from the U.S.

As of Monday in the U.S., the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported at least 29 people have gotten sick because of the Listeria outbreak. Of these, five have died.

Canada advised residents to immediately dispose any prepackaged candy apple product, whether bought from the U.S. or not. The candy apple product maybe plain caramel apples, those containing nuts, sprinkles, chocolate, or other toppings. The agency noted the products usually have a one-month shelf life.

Food contaminated with Listeria may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Authorities also instructed residents to discard the candy apple product in plastic bags before throwing them in the thrash bins. This is to prevent animals from scavenging and consuming the product from the garbage, they stressed.

Based on current information related to this investigation, the risk to Canadians is low. The PHAC and its partners will notify Canadians of any increased risk to public health as new information becomes available.

Many people are exposed to Listeria, but only a few will actually develop listeriosis. Mild symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, nausea and diarrhea. Severe symptoms may include headache, poor coordination, seizures and neck stiffness.

In the milder form of the disease, PHAC said symptoms can start the following day after consuming a product with Listeria. For the more serious form of the disease, the incubation period is generally much longer; on average about 21 days, but can be up to 70 days after exposure.