An infant has died and another ten people infected following a Listeria outbreak that has now spread to New York, New Jersey, Illinois and California.
The child died along with its twin in California, with the mother also becoming sick before recovering. However according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Listeria monocytogenes was only detected in tests of one of the two children and the mother, meaning these are the only confirmed cases in the family.
The CDC says the outbreak was “likely” caused by ready-to-eat meat and poultry products produced by Yu Shang Food, Inc., a south California-based company, which have been recalled.
In its most recent update the CDC said: “As of November 22, 2024, 11 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from four states… In California, one pregnant person and their twins were sick and both infants died. Listeria was found in a sample from the mother and from one of the twin infants, but it could not be found in a sample from the other infant.”
The agency added that “the true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported” and said it “may not be limited to the states with known illnesses.”
The CDC said the presence of Listeria in certain Yu Shang Food products was first discovered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) in routine testing. This prompted the company to recall 72,000 pounds of food on October 28, in cooperation with federal authorities. On November 21 the recall was expanded to include an additional 67,000 pounds of meat and poultry products.
The FSIS conducted whole genome sequencing on Listeria found in Yu Shang Food pork snout and found it was “closely related to bacteria” recovered from people who became sick in the outbreak. They added: “This means that people likely got sick from eating foods produced by Yu Shang Food, Inc.”
According to the CDC out of eight listeria patients interviewed two had recently eaten Yu Shang Food chicken products, while seven had “shopped in person and online at markets where Yu Shang food products are sold.”
A spokesperson for Yu Shang Food Inc told Newsweek: “We immediately [took] corrective action when we got the positive listeria monocytogene sample result from FSIS monthly routine sample test. We will work very closely with the food safety agency to prevent listeria contamination in the future by implementing good sanitation practices in production…
“At the same time the plant production manager states to change the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point system to make non-exposed ready-to-eat products instead in the future to make our products safer. We regret the incident that just happened. We will make much better products for our customers.”
A range of Yu Shang Food meat and poultry products have been included in the recall, with the products’ packaging bearing establishment numbers “P-46684” or “EST.46684” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
The FSIS is urging anyone with Yu Shang Food products bearing these establishment numbers to either throw them away, or return them to the place of purchase.
Consumers with questions can contact Ling Li, Yu Shang Food Inc. Plant Manager, via email at [email protected] or via telephone on 864-310-6313.
According to the FSIS, infection with Listeria monocytogenes “can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns.”
They added: “Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.”
On November 22 a recall was issued for Sugar Foods tortilla products potentially affecting 22 states over fears they had been contaminated by an undeclared wheat allergen.
Separately, pharmaceutical company MXBBB has recalled one lot of UMARY Hyaluronic Acid tablets over fears they could be contaminated with two other undeclared drugs, which can be fatal to humans.
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