Deadly listeria outbreak linked to Spartanburg business
Nov 25, 2024
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) - The Center for Disease Control said an infant from California is dead because of a listeria outbreak tied to a company in Spartanburg.
The United States Department of Agriculture said Yu Shang Food, a Spartanburg-based company, recalled more than 72,000 pounds of "ready-to-eat" meat and poultry products.
As a result, the CDC said they are is investigating the multi-state outbreak of listeria infections linked to the products.
The recall came after routine testing by the food safety and inspection service showed some of the products tested positive for the bacteria that causes listeriosis.
The CDC said 11 people in four states got sick, nine were hospitalized and an infant died.
The USDA stated that all "ready-to-eat" products produced before to October 28, 2024 are in the recall. You can view the full product list and food view the labels here.
Recalled products have the establishment numbers “P-46684” or “EST. M46684” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
Registered dietician and nutritionist Courtney Lee told 7NEWS two different things can happen when someone consumes food contaminated with listeria.
“You can have an intestinal infection, an intestinal illness where you have those classic (gastrointestinal) symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting. That happens pretty quickly after eating the contaminated food, normally within that 24-hour period and it's normally over pretty quickly," said Lee. "Alternatively, what can happen for some people is an invasive illness, where the bacteria leaves the GI tract and gets into the rest of the body and that's what causes those serious illnesses of listeria when you hear about death from the outbreaks.”
Lee said in more serious cases, flu-like symptoms can start two weeks after you've eaten contaminated food. People over 65, pregnant women, newborns and people with compromised immune systems are more at risk for a serious infection.
"Pregnant women are the most vulnerable for listeria," said Lee. "For a pregnant woman that consumes food with listeria, she's at risk for stillbirth, miscarriage, premature labor, it's very serious. So, if you are pregnant or someone in your group is pregnant this Thanksgiving, please be very serious about being careful about the foodborne illness."
Lee said when prepping food for the upcoming holidays, it's important to keep your kitchens' surfaces disinfected, wash your hands and properly cook and store food.
The said if you have any of these recalled products in your home to throw them out or return them to the store.