Prepackaged caramel apples were linked to five deaths and illnesses in the United States.

Associated Press reported that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that those who were ill if listeria has said to have consumed prepackage caramel apples.

CDC's statement said that there are about 10 states in America which has reported of listeria illness. In the Midwest, Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The report clarified that although those that were sick and interviewed said that they have eaten prepackaged caramel apples, "but health officials do not think listeriosis caused that person's death."

The outbreak reportedly struck in October, around the time that caramel apples are so popular. The apples are usually consumed Halloween time.

 AP quoted Christopher Braden of the CDC saying that the agency is still looking at the brands of prepackaged apples that might have been linked to the illnesses and that recall of the commercial caramelized apples have not been done.

Listeriosis is decscribed as " an infection that primarily affects older adults, pregnant women, newborns and people with weakened immune symptoms. Symptoms, which begin anywhere from three to 70 days after consuming the bacteria, include fever, muscle aches, headache, confusion and convulsions."

According to a statement from CDC, "out of abundance of caution, CDC recommends that U.S. consumers not eat any commercially, produced, prepackaged caramel apples, including plain caramel apples as well as those containing nuts, sprinkles, chocolate, or other toppings."

It added, "t this time, no illnesses related to this outbreak have been linked to apples that are not caramel-coated and not prepackaged or to caramel candy." Homemade caramel apples are safer. "If you are unsure if a caramel apple is commercially produced or homemade, then you should not eat it."