72,000 pounds of chicken and meat products recalled before Thanksgiving due to deadly Listeria outbreak

With Thanksgiving just days away, some food recalls are causing concern for consumers before they sit down to the table on Thursday. More than 72,000 pounds of chicken and other meat products have been recalled due to fears of Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Unfortunately, one illness linked to this recall has resulted in death. Here’s what you need to know about Listeria outbreaks:

What is the reason for the recall?

A total of 72,240 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken and meat products are being recalled due to fears that the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can cause serious illness and even death in people who eat it.

The ready-to-eat products include select chicken, duck, pork, and lamb offerings from Yu Shang Food, Inc., a food processor based in Spartanburg, South Carolina, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). ).

FSIS first issued a notice about the recall on November 9, when only 4,589 pounds of products were thought to be affected. However, on November 21, FSIS issued an important update to that recall, announcing that an additional 67,651 pounds of products may be contaminated.

What products are being recalled?

According to the latest list published by FSIS, 23 products are included in the recall. Those products include a variety of chicken, pork, duck, and lamb. The product names are as follows:

• Japan Chasu Pork Belly
• Braised Pork Belly in Brown Sauce
• Dried Pig Feet
• Dried Pork Chops
• Chinese Spicy Duck Head
• Yushang Brand cooked chicken
• Sweet Chinese Duck Neck
• Bazhen Whole Chicken
• Chinese Hot Duck Tongue
• Chinese Brand Spicy Duck Wings
• Chinese Brand Chicken Feet
• Yushang Sausage Made with Pork and Chicken
• Pork Tongues
• Fried Chicken Quarter Leg
• Braised Beef Shank
• Braised Chicken Szechuan Pepper Flavor
• Yu Shang Brand Cooked Pork Hock
• Grilled Pork Chops
• Spicy Pig’s Ear
• Sweet Chickens
• Spicy Pig Feet
• Lamb’s Head Soup (frozen)
• Chinese Brand Spicy Chicken Feet

According to FSIS, the packaging of the recalled products has the establishment number “P-46684” or “EST. M46684” inside the USDA inspection mark. FSIS has published photos of the product packaging here.

The recall includes all products manufactured before October 28, 2024.

Where are returned products sold?

FSIS says the recalled products were shipped and sold to stores across the country. They are also sold online.

What is Listeria monocytogenes?

Listeria is a virus that can make people very sick if they swallow it. It can even cause death. Listeria can be especially dangerous for certain groups of people, including those over 65, those with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, or newborns.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that about 1,600 people in the United States are infected with Listeria each year. Unfortunately, the infection has a high mortality rate. About 260 people die from Listeria infections each year in America.

Has this Listeria outbreak harmed anyone?

Unfortunately, yes. According to CDC data, as of November 22, there have been 11 cases of Listeria infections believed to be from products included in this recall. Nine cases required hospitalization, and one case resulted in death.

What are the symptoms of Listeria infection?

Symptoms vary depending on whether a person is pregnant and whether they have a bowel disease or an invasive disease (trans-intestinal disease).

Gastrointestinal illness usually presents with diarrhea and vomiting as the main symptoms.

People who are not pregnant and have infectious diseases are more likely to report fever, flu-like symptoms, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and fainting, according to the CDC. People who are pregnant and have infectious diseases are more likely to develop fever and flu-like symptoms.

Where have Listeria infections occurred?

Although the recalled products have been sold nationwide, cases linked to the recalled products are known to have occurred in only a few states so far. The CDC says cases have occurred in four states so far.

• California (7 cases)
• Illinois (2 cases)
• New Jersey (1 case)
• New York (1 case)

The CDC notes, however, that outbreaks may have already occurred outside of known regions.

What should I do if I have returned products?

Check your refrigerator and freezer for returned products. If you have them, you shouldn’t get rid of them. The CDC says to throw them away or return them to where they were purchased. You should also clean any surfaces the products have come in contact with.