This is a recent outbreak involving Yu Shang Food and includes ready-to-eat meat and poultry, associated with one death-an infant in California, and at least ten illnesses in four states. It certainly points out the continuous risk of foodborne pathogen microbes and implores the need to ensure food safety.
Overview of the outbreak
As of November 22, 2024, CDC reported 11 persons infected with listeria monocytogenes, of which nine were hospitalized. This outbreak is attributed to several ready-to-eat meat products by Yu Shang Food, Spartanburg, South Carolina. Among the sick is an infant who died from the disease; that’s an indication of just how serious this public health concern is.
The ages of the cases have ranged from under one year upwards to 86 years, with a median of 64 years. Most cases, seven, have been reported to the CDC in California, two in Illinois, and one each in New York and New Jersey.
Products affected
The recall involves many ready-to-eat meat products commonly used by consumers. The items implicated in this outbreak include the following:
- Pork hock
- Fowl’s legs
- Pig’s feet
- Duck neck
- Beef shank
- Pork tongue
These were produced before October 28, 2024, and would have had an establishment number of P-46684 or EST. M46684 on the product’s packaging. In total, about 72,240 pounds of meat and poultry products may be involved in the recall due to possible contamination.
This recall was initiated after routine testing by USDA’s FSIS revealed that finished product and environmental samples from Yu Shang Food’s facility tested positive for the presence of listeria. November 9 was the date of the original recall, and below is an update of that release with new information.
States affected
The outbreak has been confirmed in four states:
- California: Seven cases, the most nationwide, including the death of the infant.
- Illinois: It reports two cases.
- New York: One case was reported.
- New Jersey: One reported case.
Despite the recalls, health officials fear that some recalled products could be in consumer homes, and because listeria can survive refrigerator temperatures. People who have bought the products should discard them or return them to the point of sale.
Consumer guidelines and corporate response
Health officials recommend that consumers not consume any of the recalled products and insist on a rigorous cleaning of all surfaces that might have been in contact with those products. Yu Shang Food Company purports to take the necessary steps to ensure that such contamination will not happen again. In fact, the CDC adds that individuals with symptoms after consumption should seek medical attention immediately. It also shows that the actual number of infections could be so high because of untested cases among people who usually recover without medical intervention.
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