Recall Alert: More Than 70,000 Pounds of Meat and Poultry Products Linked to Listeria Outbreak

If you have any ready-to-eat meat and poultry products in your refrigerator or freezer, you may want to check the label. Approximately 72,240 pounds of ready-to-eat meat have been linked to a listeria outbreak, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Yu Shang Food, Inc. initiated the recall on November 9 out of "an abundance of caution," the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service(FSIS) states. The problem was discovered during routine testing on October 21, which confirmed the product was positive for listeria. On November 21, the recall was expanded to include over 70,000 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products from the company.

The recalled products were produced from October 21 to October 27 and have the establishment number  "P-46684" or "EST. M46684" inside the USDA mark of inspection. They were shipped to retail locations nationwide and available to buy online. The full list of products included in the recall can be viewed here.

To date, there have been 11 reported illnesses, including nine hospitalizations and one death, linked to the recall. The illnesses have affected people living in California, Illinois, New Jersey, and New York.

Consuming food contaminated with listeria can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that can be especially harmful to older adults, those with a weakened immune system, pregnant women, and newborns. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and gastrointestinal issues, according to FSIS.

FSIS warns consumers that the affected products may still be in their refrigerators and freezers and should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. If you have questions regarding the recall, contact Ling Li, plant manager for Yu Shang Food, Inc. at 864-310-6313 or by email at ling16099@yahoo.com.