Infant Passes Away, 10 others Fall Ill in Listeria Outbreak Linked to Ready-to-Eat Meat

A listeria outbreak connected to ready-to-eat meat products from Yu Shang Food, Inc. in South Carolina has resulted in one infant death and sickened 10 adults in four states. The outbreak has affected people of Asian heritage, including individuals in New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and California. The infant who died was a twin, and the other twin also passed away, but their death was not linked to listeria. Another unrelated infant also became ill but recovered. The contaminated products were discovered during a routine inspection, leading to recalls of various meat products. The CDC has identified a genetic footprint for listeria in the outbreak, suggesting the cases are linked to the same food source. The recalled products include items like “Braised Pork Belly In Brown Sauce” and “Seasoned Chicken Quarter Leg.” Consumers are urged to discard the products and clean their refrigerators and freezers. Listeria exposure can be life-threatening for vulnerable populations, such as older adults, those with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and newborns. Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, headache, and diarrhea, with more severe outcomes possible for pregnant women and the elderly.

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