Death reported in Listeria outbreak traced to ready-to-eat meat and poultry

An outbreak of Listeria infections traced to ready-to-eat chicken and meat products has turned deadly.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Nov. 22 that an infant in California has died in the outbreak linked to food from Yu Shang Inc. The multi-state outbreak has sickened 11 people. Nine of the patients have been hospitalized.

Yu Shang has initiated a recall. There is great concern that consumers may have the recalled ready-to-eat meat and poultry products in their homes because their expiration dates extend into August 2025. Examples of recalled foods include pork hock, chicken feet, pork feet, duck neck, beef shank, and pork tongue.

The recall notice from the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) did not indicate where the sick people live, except to say the outbreak involves more than one state. Similarly, the CDC has not reported what states have patients.

More than 72,000 pounds of products are under recall. The products were manufactured by Yu Shang Inc. of Spartanburg, SC. 

Click here for a full product list of recalled items. Product labels can be viewed by clicking here. The products subject to recall have establishment number “P-46684” or “EST. M46684” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide and available for purchase online.  

Before the outbreak was identified, the company recalled 4,500 pounds of product on Nov. 9. That recall came after FSIS performed routine testing and follow-up activities of finished product produced by Yu Shang Food Inc. On Oct. 21, the FSIS testing confirmed that product was positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Environmental samples from the production facility have also tested positive for Listeria.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall can send an email to [email protected] or contact Ling Li, Yu Shang Food, Inc. Plant Manager, at 864-310-6313.

About Listeria infections

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any recalledproducts and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure. Specific tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop. 

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. 

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, other complications and death. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.