The recall of around 72,240 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, marketed by Yu Shang Food, Inc., located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, was announced by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) precisely for contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. This recall was first initiated on November 9, 2024, and extended on November 25 to include any further products, where there are 30 products produced before October 28, 2024, covered by the recall. These products hang the establishment number “P-46684” or the “EST. M46684” on their USDA inspection labels. The list of affected goods includes braised pork belly and pre-seasoned pork feet, cooked chicken items, spicy duck, and pork sausages. Additionally, there’s lamb head soup and spicy chicken feet, marketed through multiple brands, including Yu Shang, Chinese Brand, and Bazhen. Each of the products has been directly linked with possible contamination due to Listeria, which is known about and could cause serious health concerns with such consumption.
The recalled products include braised pork belly and pre-seasoned pork feet to assorted cooked chicken, spicy duck, and pork sausages. They even contain oddities such as lamb’s head soup and spicy chicken feet presented under many brands, including Yu Shang, Chinese Brand, and Bazhen. The above items correlate their condition with Listeria contamination, which can really entail severe health problems in its consumption.
The contamination was discovered during routine testing conducted by FSIS staff on October 21, 2024, when Listeria was detected in some food products. Further environmental samples collected at the Yu Shang Food Plant also tested positive for the bacteria. As a result, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have identified a Listeria outbreak associated with the contaminated products. According to the CDC, people in California, Illinois, New Jersey, and New York are among the 11 reported illnesses. This includes nine hospitalizations and at least one reported death.
The CDC has mentioned that the actual number of illnesses associated with this outbreak would far exceed the reported counts, as individuals might just recover without medical care or maybe have not been tested for Listeria. Listeria infection, known as listeriosis, can start the same day food contaminated with it is eaten, but sometimes the symptoms occur later, up to 10 days in some cases. An early sign of the infection can then manifest itself in forms such as diarrhea and vomiting, which are soon followed by severe symptoms like fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. Sometimes, listeriosis may turn invasive and cause severe complications.
Health professionals are urged to seek medical assistance if you think there is a possibility you consumed one of the recalled products or experienced unusual symptoms. As infections can sometimes spread beyond the intestines, complications such as meningitis can arise, hence the importance of those at risk immediately seeking treatment.
According to the USDA, consumers should refrain from eating the bad products and get rid of such products or take them back to the store from which they were purchased for a refund. Those people who could have any of the affected products will have to act now, as this could prevent possible exposure to Listeria. Anyone wanting more detailed information about this recall can contact Yu Shang Food’s plant manager, Ling Li, at the email address ling16099@yahoo.com or telephone 864-310-6313.
In fact, the recall should serve as a reminder of the actuality of foodborne illness, especially Listeria, which does not care whether the food is ready to eat, such as these ones under this recall. It is the consumer’s duty to watch closely for details in products processed by or entering the household through meat and poultry products by different companies with a history of recalls. The USDA and other health organizations continue to observe the situation closely, ensuring rapid response to any further contaminations and limited public health risks.
