A severe listeria outbreak has been directly linked to ready-to-eat meat and poultry products from Yu Shang Food Inc., causing significant public health concern across four states.
The outbreak has resulted in 11 confirmed illnesses, leading to nine hospitalizations and tragically, the death of an infant, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The source of the contamination has been traced back to Yu Shang Food Inc., a company based in Spartanburg, South Carolina. In response, the company has issued a recall of over 72,000 pounds of its meat and poultry products nationwide. The recall pertains to all products manufactured before October 28, as indicated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
Routine testing by FSIS last month identified Listeria monocytogenes in the products, prompting further action to ascertain a direct connection between the bacterial strains found and the outbreak cases. The products in question were distributed across various retailers nationwide and were also made available for purchase online, raising concerns about the widespread impact.
Illness reports span several states, with seven cases in California, two in Illinois, and one each in New York and New Jersey. The CDC’s investigation revealed that out of eight people interviewed, seven had purchased Yu Shang products either in person or online, and two individuals specifically recalled consuming Yu Shang ready-to-eat chicken. One particularly devastating case in California involved a pregnant woman and her twins. Unfortunately, both infants succumbed to the illness, although listeria was only confirmed in samples from the mother and one twin. Another infant fell ill but thankfully recovered.
Despite the serious allegations, Yu Shang Food Inc. maintains that there is no conclusive evidence linking their products to the outbreak, although one affected woman reportedly consumed their products before falling ill. Health officials caution that the true number of affected individuals may be higher, as many do not seek medical assistance and case confirmations can be time-consuming.
Those in possession of the recalled products are advised to stop consumption immediately and either discard the items or return them to the place of purchase. It’s crucial to clean any surfaces or storage containers that may have come into contact with the contaminated food.
Listeria infection, or listeriosis, is noted as the third leading cause of death from foodborne illnesses in the United States. Symptoms commonly include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, and in severe instances, can lead to more critical conditions such as stiff necks, confusion, or seizures. Vulnerable groups include older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Immediate medical care is recommended if symptoms appear after consuming the impacted products.
The listeria outbreak associated with Yu Shang Food Inc. underscores the importance of rigorous food safety measures and monitoring. Consumers are urged to heed recall warnings to protect their health and seek medical advice if symptoms of listeriosis develop.
Source: WSVN
