Apples Listeria - A California couple have officially filed a lawsuit against Bidart Bros. as well as Happy Apple and Walmart over a listeria infection linked with the consumption of caramel apples.

Since last month, a listeria outbreak in the country linked with the consumption of caramel apples from Bidart Bros. has led to at least 32 infections in 11 states across the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 7 people have lost their lives after becoming infected with listeria from commercially produced apples.

Darlene Vouri and Francis Vouri, who filed their lawsuit through Ron Simon & Associates, are just one of several people across the country who have been infected by the listeria outbreak.

In Oct. last year, Darlene reportedly consumed apples purchased from a Walmart outlet in California and fell ill afterwards. Medical tests confirmed that she had been infected with Listeria monocytogenes. She was reportedly placed in isolation at the Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital and treated with antibiotics. After a month of hospitalization, Darlene returned home, but remains bedridden and requires nursing. Reports indicate that she collapsed for the third time on Saturday.

Critics say the Vouri's experience is similar to that of many families across the country, who have been affected by the listeria outbreak.

Last week, Bidart Bros. announced that it is recalling its Granny Smith and Gala apples after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed that strains of Listeria monosytogenes had been found in the company's processing plant in Shafter, California. The company since launched a website for affected customers to register claims.

Bidart Bros. has cautioned consumers to be on the lookout for the infected caramel apple brands, which are also known as 'Big B' ad 'Granny Best.' The company urged consumers interested in purchasing caramel apples to inquire if it was produced with apples that were supplied by Bidart Bros.

The President of Bidart Bros. Leonard Bidart, who sent his condolences to all the people affected by the listeria outbreak, has noted that the company is complying with the CDC and FDA.

"From the moment we learned of the issue, we committed ourselves to cooperating completely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, and the California Department of Public Health."

Reports indicate that each year Bidart Bros. facilities undergo testing by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The listeria-infected Bidart Bros. Shafter packaging plant had reportedly undergone this testing and was cleared just 3 months before the listeria outbreak was reported.

At the moment, it is unclear what sort of settlement the company is planning to reach with the claimants. It is also unclear how many people affected by the outbreak have made a claim at the moment.

"This outbreak has devastated so many families. Francis and Darlene are struggling as her condition remains day-to-day. Several victims have died. We will determine exactly how the outbreak occurred and will force those responsible to fairly compensate the victims and take all steps necessary to make sure this never happens again," the Vouri's attorney Ron Simon said.