A listeria outbreak connected to ready-to-eat meat and poultry items from Yu Shang Food Inc. has led to 11 confirmed illnesses across four states, including nine hospitalizations and the tragic death of an infant, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Yu Shang Food, based in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is recalling over 72,000 pounds of its products due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall covers all ready-to-eat meat and poultry products manufactured before October 28. These items were distributed to retailers nationwide and sold online, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) reported.
The contamination was identified during routine testing by the FSIS last month. Genetic sequencing is ongoing to determine if the bacteria in the recalled products matches the strain responsible for the outbreak.
So far, the CDC has recorded seven cases in California, two in Illinois, and one each in New York and New Jersey. Investigators interviewed eight affected individuals, seven of whom reported shopping at markets where Yu Shang products were sold. Two specifically recalled consuming Yu Shang’s ready-to-eat chicken.
The CDC shared a heartbreaking update from California, where a pregnant woman and her twins became ill. Unfortunately, both infants passed away. While listeria bacteria were detected in the mother and one of the twins, no bacteria were found in the second twin. Therefore, only the mother and one twin are counted among confirmed cases. Another infant was also infected but has since recovered.
In a statement to CNN, Yu Shang Food acknowledged the woman’s report of consuming their products but emphasized that no direct evidence links their items to the illnesses.
Health officials caution that the actual number of cases may be underreported, as some individuals recover without seeking medical care. Moreover, linking illnesses to outbreaks often takes several weeks.
Consumers are urged to discard or return any recalled products immediately and to clean surfaces or containers that may have been in contact with the food. Listeria can survive in refrigerated environments, making proper cleaning critical.
Listeriosis, caused by Listeria monocytogenes, ranks as the third leading cause of death from foodborne illnesses in the U.S. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and sometimes severe complications like stiff neck, confusion, or seizures. Those most vulnerable are older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Anyone who develops symptoms after consuming the affected products should seek medical attention promptly.
Source: CNN
