Urgent health warning: 72,000 pounds of meat recalled due to listeria outbreak across 4 states
72,000 pounds of meat and poultry recalled due to listeria contamination, affecting 11 people. Check the products involved.
Serious Health Alert: Expanding Listeria Outbreak in the United States
Federal authorities have ordered a nationwide recall of more than 72,000 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. These products are from Yu Shang Food, Inc., and linked to an outbreak that has left at least 11 people ill in four states. There have been nine hospitalizations so far and two reported deaths of infants in California. The USDA and the CDC are working together to find out just how far-reaching the outbreak is.
Listeria is a potentially deadly bacteria that poses significant risks for vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms can range from flu-like symptoms to life-threatening infections that may result in miscarriage or death.
What products were recalled?
Various ready-to-eat chicken, beef, and pork were made between March and October 2024 and were shipped everywhere. Consumers should check their freezers for any of these products with the USDA recall identifiers and throw away those items. The items could have been sold in big supermarkets and online stores.
The tainted products were uncovered after routine testing by the Food Safety and Inspection Service, which identified the outbreak strain using genetic sequencing.
What Are the Risks of Contracting Listeria?
Listeria infections can have devastating effects, particularly for specific groups:
These would include symptoms like fever, muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, and confusion. If anyone has consumed the recalled products and is experiencing these symptoms, they should immediately seek medical attention.
What Actions Should Regular Consumers Take?
To keep yourself and your family safe, follow these recommendations:
How to Avoid Future Risks with Possibly Contaminated Foods:
Listeria lives in cold temperatures, making it highly hazardous in ready-to-eat foods. In order to reduce the risk, follow these suggestions:
READ ALSO: Attention, dog owners: Dog treats recalled in 19 states over potential salmonella contamination
What Has the CDC Said, and What’s Next?
The CDC cautions that the actual number may be higher, given a lot of people would end up recovering without having gone to the hospital or having tested for Listeria. Investigations continue in terms of tracing the network within which the products were distributed, along with finding more cases.
Public health agencies have extended their recall efforts, which are advising consumers to keep alert.
*This article was written in Spanish and translated with the help of AI.