An outbreak of listeria connected to ready-to-eat meat products from Yu Shang Food, Inc. in South Carolina has resulted in the death of an infant and illness in 10 adults across four states. The infected individuals, all with Asian heritage, include one person each in New York and New Jersey, two in Illinois, and seven in California. The twins of the deceased infant also fell ill, but one survived.
The contaminated products were discovered during a routine inspection by USDA inspectors. The recall includes a variety of meat products produced before Oct. 28, such as Seasoned Chicken Quarter Leg. The CDC confirmed a genetic footprint for listeria in the outbreak, suggesting all cases were linked to the same source.
The recalled items were sold at various retailers, including 99 Ranch Market. Anyone with the products was advised to discard them and clean their freezers and refrigerators. Listeria can cause severe illness in older adults, those with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and newborns. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, convulsions, and diarrhea.
Listeria infection is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the US, according to the CDC. Pregnant women can pass the infection to their babies, and the elderly are at risk of fatal infections. The outbreak serves as a reminder of the importance of food safety and the potential dangers of consuming contaminated ready-to-eat meat products.
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