Listeria Outbreak Linked to Ready-to-Eat Yu Shang Meals Kills Infant and Sickens 10 Others

A listeria outbreak linked to ready-to-eat meat products has led to the death of an infant and sickened 10 adults across four states, officials reported.

The outbreak has been traced to products from Yu Shang Food, Inc. of Spartanburg, South Carolina. The victims, including one infant in California, were mostly of Asian heritage. The infant who died from listeria was a twin. Sadly, the sibling also died, but their death was not linked to listeria. The mother of the twins was sickened but recovered.  Listeria was detected in both the mother and one twin but not in the other twin’s sample, according to the CDC.

Seven of the adults who fell ill had purchased meat from markets selling Yu Shang Food products, with two recalling having eaten Yu Shang chicken. A routine USDA inspection at the plant in October led to the discovery of Listeria monocytogenes on meat products, prompting a recall of nearly two dozen varieties, including “Seasoned Chicken Quarter Leg” and “Braised Pork Belly In Brown Sauce.” The recalled products, made before October 28th, were sold in at least four retailers, including 99 Ranch Market. The tainted products were marked inside USDA inspection hallmarks as “P-46684” or “EST. M46684.”

The CDC noted that listeria is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. It can cause life-threatening infections, including in newborns, as seen in this outbreak. Health officials urged consumers to discard recalled products and thoroughly clean affected refrigerators and freezers.