Infant Dies in Listeria Outbreak Linked to Ready-to-Eat Products, CDC says

An infant has died due to a listeria infection that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has linked to Yu-Shang Food ready-to-eat meat and poultry products.
“Interviews with sick people and laboratory findings show that Yu-Shang Food ready-to-eat meat and poultry products are making people sick,” the agency said.
FSIS noted that the current recall applies to all RTE items manufactured by the company before Oct. 28. “The products subject to recall bear establishment number ‘P-46684’ or ‘EST. M46684’ inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide and available for purchase online.”
The risk of listeria contamination was discovered after routine testing by FSIS in October found the presence of the bacteria in some of the items manufactured by the company.
“Consuming food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected,” according to the agency.
“Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract.”
FSIS said customers at a higher risk of infection who have already consumed the recalled items and experience flu-like symptoms are advised to contact a health care provider.
The agency asked people who bought the products and have not yet consumed them to either return the items for a refund or dispose of them. Those who have queries can contact Yu Shang Food at 864-310-6313.
The case-fatality rate of listeriosis is around 20 percent, the agency noted. Among pregnant women, the infection results in the death of newborns or fetal loss in close to 25 percent of cases.
The new agency would take over food responsibilities currently overseen by the FDA.
The Epoch Times contacted Yu Shang Food for comment but did not receive a reply by the time of publication.