The USDA says a nationwide recall of ready-to-eat poultry, pork, and lamb products has been significantly expanded. Here’s the latest.
With just a few days to go until Thanksgiving, another food recall is causing concern for consumers before they sit down at the table on Thursday. Over 72,000 pounds of poultry and other meat products have been recalled due to fears of Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Unfortunately, one illness linked to this recall has already resulted in death. Here’s what you need to know about the Listeria outbreak:
What is the reason for the recall?
A total of 72,240 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) poultry and meat products are being recalled due to fears that the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can cause severe illness and even death in people who ingest it.
The ready-to-eat products include select chicken, duck, pork, and lamb offerings from Yu Shang Food, Inc., a food processor based in Spartanburg, South Carolina, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
The FSIS first issued a notice about the recall back on November 9, when it was originally thought that just 4,589 pounds of products were impacted. However, on November 21, the FSIS issued a significant update to that recall, announcing an additional 67,651 pounds of products could be contaminated.
What products are being recalled?
According to the latest list published by the FSIS, 23 products are included in the recall. Those products include various chicken, pork, duck, and lamb items. The product names are as follows:
- Japanese Chasu Pork Belly
- Braised Pork Belly In Brown Sauce
- Seasoned Pork Feet
- Seasoned Pork Hock
- Chinese Brand Spicy Duck Head
- Yushang Brand Cooked Chicken
- Chinese Brand Spicy Duck Neck
- Bazhen Seasoned Whole Chicken
- Chinese Brand Spicy Duck Tongues
- Chinese Brand Spicy Duck Wings
- Chinese Brand Chicken Feet
- Yushang Sausage Made with Pork and Chicken
- Seasoned Pork Tongues
- Seasoned Chicken Quarter Leg
- Braised Beef Shank
- Braised Chicken Szechuan Pepper Flavor
- Yu Shang Brand Cooked Pork Hock
- Seasoned Pork Snout Meat
- Spicy Pork Ear
- Spicy Chicken Gizzards
- Spicy Pork Feet
- Lambs Head Soup (frozen)
- Chinese Brand Spicy Chicken Feet
According to the FSIS, the packaging of the recalled products bears the establishment number “P-46684” or “EST. M46684” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The FSIS has published photographs of the products’ packaging here.
The recall includes all products produced before October 28, 2024.
Where were the recalled products sold?
The FSIS says the recalled products were shipped to and sold at retailers nationwide. They were also sold online.
What is Listeria monocytogenes?
Listeria is a bacteria that can make people very ill if ingested. It can even cause death. Listeria can be particularly dangerous to certain groups of people, including those who are over the age of 65, who have a weakened immune system, who are pregnant, or who are newborns.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says about 1,600 people in the United States are infected with Listeria each year. Unfortunately, the infection has a high mortality rate. About 260 people die from Listeria infections each year in America.
Has this Listeria outbreak harmed anyone?
Unfortunately, yes. According to CDC data, as of November 22, there have been 11 cases of Listeria infections believed to have originated from products included in this recall. Nine cases have required hospitalization, and one case resulted in death.
What are the symptoms of a Listeria infection?
Symptoms differ depending on whether the person is pregnant and whether they have an intestinal illness or an invasive illness (illness beyond the gut).
Intestinal illness usually presents with diarrhea and vomiting as the main symptoms.
People who are not pregnant and have invasive illnesses are more likely to report fever, flu-like symptoms, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures, according to the CDC. People who are pregnant and have invasive illnesses are more likely to present with fever and flu-like symptoms.
Where have the Listeria infections occurred?
Although the recalled products were sold nationwide, cases linked to the recalled products are only known to have occurred in a few states so far. The CDC says cases have happened in four states so far.
- California (7 cases)
- Illinois (2 cases)
- New Jersey (1 case)
- New York (1 case)
The CDC notes, however, that infections may have already occurred outside the known states.
What should I do if I have the recalled products?
Check your fridge and freezer for the recalled products. If you have them, you should not consume them. The CDC says either throw them away or return them to the place of purchase. You should also clean any surfaces the products came into contact with.
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