A listeria outbreak connected to ready-to-eat meat and poultry products has resulted in one infant death and 10 confirmed illnesses across four states, according to reports from federal health officials. The outbreak has been traced to products manufactured by Yu Shang Food, Inc., based in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
The contaminated products include chicken feet, duck neck, beef shank, and pork hock. In response to the outbreak, Yu Shang Food has recalled more than 72,000 pounds of meat and poultry products. The contamination was discovered in October through routine testing, which detected listeria in both the food products and the production environment.
Of the eleven reported cases, nine individuals were hospitalized. In California, a pregnant woman carrying twins became ill. While both twins died, only one infant tested positive for listeria, resulting in the official case count including the mother and one infant.
The recalled products were distributed to retail locations nationwide and were also available for purchase online. Despite the recall, health officials warn that some products may still be present in consumers’ homes. Federal authorities have advised consumers to either discard these products or return them to their place of purchase. Additionally, they recommend thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces or containers that may have come into contact with the affected products.
Listeria infection can manifest with varying degrees of severity. Initial symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. More severe cases can present with headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. The onset of symptoms can range from a few hours to up to three months after consuming contaminated food. High-risk groups include young children, adults over 65, pregnant individuals, and those with compromised immune systems.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed that this outbreak is separate from another recent listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meats, which resulted in ten deaths and multiple illnesses during the summer.
The investigation into the Yu Shang Food outbreak began with the initial product recall on November 9, following the detection of listeria during standard testing procedures. Federal health officials continue to monitor the situation and investigate any additional cases linked to these products.
Commenting on this story, one national Listeria lawyer said, “Although the Boar’s Head listeria outbreak was recently announced as being over, the impact of the Yu Shang Food listeria outbreak is just being understood. Unfortunately, it is possible that more deaths tied to the Yu Shang Food outbreak will be announced. Our firm looks forward to the outcome of our investigation so we can hold accountable those responsible for our clients’ pain and suffering.”
