The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) division of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a recall of 72,240 pounds of meat from Yu Shang Food in South Carolina due to possible Listeria contamination.
Although the recall was initiated on November 9, 2024, the Food Safety division extended it to November 25, 2024, to include more products. As per official reports, approximately 30 products have been affected.
When routine testing by the FSIS was conducted on October 21, 2024, it revealed Listeria monocytogenes in the food and plant environment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has since linked the contamination to a Listeria outbreak affecting 11 people across California, Illinois, New Jersey, and New York, resulting in nine hospitalizations and at least one death.
The CDC cautioned that the actual number of cases may be higher, as many people recover without seeking medical care or testing. Buyers must note that any instant Yu Shang food item manufactured before October 28, 2024, is now under recall.
Some product names include Japanese Chasu Pork Belly, Seasoned Pork Feet, Yushang Brand Cooked Chicken, Seasoned Chicken Quarter Leg, Chinese Brand Spicy Chicken Feet, and others.
Listeria symptoms can appear within hours or up to 10 days after consuming contaminated food, starting with diarrhea and vomiting and potentially progressing to invasive listeriosis with fever, aches, and fatigue.
If one has consumed the affected food and is showing symptoms, it is suggested to consult a healthcare provider. For further inquiries, customers can contact Yu Shang Food’s plant manager, Ling Li, at [email protected] or 864-310-6313.
Yu Shang Food initially recalled around 4,589 pounds of ready-to-eat meat
Initially, around 4,589 pounds of meat and poultry products were recalled. These products come with expiry dates between August 21 to 27, 2025. The USDA inspection mark on these products has the establishment number P-46684 or EST. M46684.
The food items were shipped across the nation and were also available for online purchase.
At this point, FSIS has concerns that these products might still be available in the refrigerators of many consumers and thus they are urged not to consume them. Alternatively, they can throw them away or return them to the store.
It is also essential to clean the refrigerator and any surface thoroughly, which might have come in contact with the product. Maintaining proper hygiene and healthy food preparation practices can protect you and your loved ones from such diseases.
FSIS has also urged consumers to keep an eye on their website in case they update the list with additional products. Meanwhile, consumers should check the list that is already available on the website for precaution.
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It must be noted that Listeria can cause serious illness, especially among vulnerable populations. The bacteria can cause potential harm to pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weak immune systems.
These groups are at a higher risk of severe complications like meningitis and septicemia. Reportedly, the listeria outbreak has spanned over two years and the issue has not been resolved, yet.
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