Chicago, IL (November 30, 2024) – Yu Shang Food Inc. has updated their prepared meats recall, bringing the total amount of meat recalled to 72,240 pounds after testing confirmed contamination with the listeria bacteria. This is a 67,651 pound increase from the original 4,589 lbs of meat recalled on November 9th.
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The contamination was discovered during routine testing of a batch of product produced by Yu Shang Food, Inc. by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The first confirmed instance of contamination was October 21st, 2024. By November 9th, the meat recall was issued.
As of November 22nd, 11 illnesses related to listeria were confirmed in four states, and at least one infant has died after becoming infected with listeria. The public is cautioned to dispose of all ready-to-eat products affected by this recall, as this illness could prove deadly, especially to the elderly, immune compromised, and very young individuals. If you are showing symptoms of listeria infection, contact your doctor right away to learn about treatment options.
If you or a loved one suffered illness due to the Yu Shang Food Inc. recall, the experienced product liability attorneys at Ankin Law are here to help. Our Law firm will guide you through the legal process to ensure you recover maximum compensation.
What Products Are Affected By the Yu Shang Recall?
The recall includes products produced before October 28th. The affected ready-to-eat meat and poultry items come in packaging bearing the establishment numbers P-46684 or EST.46684 inside the USDA mark of inspection. These products were shipped nationwide and sold online. A full list of affected products can be found here.
What if I Have an Affected Product?
If you have a product affected by the Yu Shang Food Inc. recall, you should not consume it or feed it to animals. You should properly dispose of the product or take it back to the place of purchase for a refund if applicable. Once the product is disposed of, clean any surfaces and utensils it came in contact with. This can include refrigerators, freezers, pans, plates, countertops, cutting boards and other such things. Make sure to wash your hands after handling contaminated products or cleaning where they’ve touched to lessen your chances of contracting an infection.
What Is Listeria?
Listeria is a foodborne illness caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. The bacteria are commonly found in feces, soil, groundwater, and rotting vegetation. Listeria infection can range from mild to severe, with pregnant individuals, elderly, immune compromised, and very young individuals at a higher risk of severe infection.
Listeria is commonly transferred through the consumption of contaminated foods. The incubation period for listeriosis is typically one to two weeks, but it can be as long as a couple of months.
L. monocytogenes differs from other foodborne illnesses in that it can thrive and even multiply in cold environments. This includes refrigerators and freezers. When food is contaminated with l. monocytogenes, nothing changes about its smell or texture, so it is hard to determine that a product is contaminated without proper testing.
Anyone can get listeriosis, so it is important to exercise caution when purchasing and consuming foods that could be contaminated with these bacteria. Stay up to date by monitoring the FDA, FSIS, or CDC websites for information on food recalls and illness outbreaks.
Symptoms of Listeria Infection
Symptoms of listeria infection can vary, and they range from minor to severe. Some common symptoms of listeria include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Upset Stomach
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Muscle Aches
More severe symptoms can include:
- Confusion
- Loss of Balance
- Convulsions
- Death
More severe listeria infections may cause meningitis, sepsis, or encephalitis.
Managing Listeria Symptoms
Individuals with severe cases of listeria may need to see their doctor for treatment. However, those with milder cases may manage their listeria symptoms by getting plenty of rest, keeping up on fluid intake, eating a diet of mild foods, and taking NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to manage aches and pains. Some NSAIDs also act as fever reducers, so taking them may also help reduce fever.
Is Listeria Contagious?
Listeriosis is not contagious. It cannot be passed from person to person, unless a pregnant individual passes the illness to their unborn child through the placenta or in the birth canal during birth. Most people contract listeria through contaminated foods.
How to Avoid Listeria Infection
Some steps to take to avoid or lessen the risk of a listeria infection include keeping up to date with recall notices, properly storing food, washing your hands before and after handling any food and after using the restroom, changing a diaper, or cleaning up animal feces. Clean raw fruits and vegetables thoroughly, and avoid unpasteurized dairy products and juices. You can also heat up ready-to-eat meat products before consumption to further lessen your chances of a listeria infection. These steps are especially important if you are immune compromised.
Can Listeria Be Treated?
Listeria can be treated by doctor-prescribed antibiotics that help fight the infection residing in your body. Some antibiotics commonly used to treat listeria include sulfamethoxazole and ampicillin. You may also receive medications that help control your symptoms, such as anti-nausea medication. Individuals with mild symptoms may not need treated.
Contact an Experienced Attorney
The bottom line is that even if you take every precaution that you can to ensure you don’t consume contaminated food, infection may still happen. If you became ill after consuming contaminated food, our attorneys at Ankin Law can help. We’ll ensure that the negligent party is held accountable, and you get the compensation you need to recover. Contact us today for help with your claim.
