Listeria Outbreak Linked To CA Newborn Deaths Continues

CALIFORNIA— The California Department of Public Health warned consumers and retailers not to eat, serve or sell Yu Shang Food, Inc. ready-to-eat meat and poultry products because they are linked to a multi-state Listeria outbreak that has killed two newborn babies.

As of Dec. 5, there were 19 people in eight states sickened by the foodborne illness, seven of whom were pregnant. Ten of the sick people were from California, including a mother and her twins, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Both infants were ill and died, as Patch reported last month. Listeria was found in a sample from the mother and from one of the twin infants, but it could not be found in a sample from the other infant. Because of this, only the mother and one twin were included as confirmed cases in the outbreak.

In Tennessee, a mother and her infant were sick, and her infant died.

The outbreak has also sickened one person in Oregon, one in Nevada, two in Illinois, one in Georgia, one in New York and one in New Jersey. Among them were two unrelated infants who became ill but recovered.

"The consumption of these food products can result in devastating consequences, and our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the infants who passed away,” said Dr. Tomás Aragó, CDPH director and state public health officer. "We continue to work with our local, state and federal partners on this investigation and are doing all we can to educate consumers and retailers to further prevent any harm.”

Of the 19 people with information available, 17, which is 89 percent, were hospitalized and had samples collected from them.

Through interviews with those who fell ill, state and local officials found that all 19 were Asian, and at least half were Chinese, the CDPH said. The products that made them sick were purchased from Asian grocery stores or online. Among 14 people interviewed, 11 shopped in person or online at markets where Yu Shang food products are sold. Among the 13 people asked about precooked chicken products, eight (62 percent) reported eating precooked chicken products, and three (38 percent) specifically reported eating Yu Shang brand ready-to-eat chicken products, the CDC said.

The CDC believes the number of people sickened in the outbreak is likely higher than the number reported and may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Listeria. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.

What Californians Can Do

State officials said Californians should not eat, serve or sell Yu Shang, Inc. ready-to-eat meat and poultry products made before Oct. 28, 2024, as they could be contaminated with Listeria and have been recalled.

Residents should check their refrigerators and freezers for these foods, which have 8-12 months of shelf life. Products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase, even if they have not expired.

All surfaces that may have touched the recalled foods should be sanitized. Listeria can survive in the refrigerator and freezer. It easily spreads to other foods and surfaces, officials said.

Who Is Most At Risk?

Symptoms of Listeria infection may include fever, headache and neck stiffness. Adults over 65, pregnant women and their newborns, and people who are immunocompromised are at the highest risk for severe infections and complications. Listeria infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth, premature delivery or infection of the newborn baby.

Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. People in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Recall Expands

Testing confirmed the above-pictured products were contaminated with Listeria.

On Nov. 9, Yu Shang Food of Spartanburg, South Carolina, recalled 4,589 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products that may have been tainted with Listeria. On Nov. 21, the establishment recalled another 67,651 pounds of products, increasing the total weight to 72,240 pounds, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service. See the complete list of recalled products or read it in Simplified Chinese.

Restaurants, businesses, and grocers who have sold or served recalled Yu Shang brand food products should contact their local health department.

Anyone who sees the recalled products for sale should call the CDPH Complaint Hotline at 800-495-3232 or submit an electronic report to the CDPH Food and Drug Branch.