USDA Announces Recall of 72,000 Pounds of Ready-To-Eat Chicken, Beef, and Pork in Connection With Listeria Outbreak

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Yu Shang Food, Inc., a Spartanburg, South Carolina-based company, issued a recall of approximately 72,240 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products due to possible Listeria contamination. While the recall was initiated on Nov. 9, the FSIS has since expanded the list as of Nov. 25 to include additional products. 

Any package of ready-to-eat food from Yu Shang Food produced before Oct. 28, 2024, is part of the recall. Nearly 30 products have been impacted, bearing establishment number “P-46684” or “EST. M46684” on the USDA inspection label.

Recalled Products From Yu Shang Food

The full list can be found here, and product labels can be found here. 

During routine testing by the FSIS on Oct. 21, staff detected Listeria monocytogenes in the food. The bacteria were also present in environmental samples collected at the plant. 

Since then, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified a Listeria outbreak connected to the contaminated food. People in California, Illinois, New Jersey, and New York are among the 11 illnesses. Nine hospitalizations and at least one death have been reported.

According to the CDC, “The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Listeria.” 

Symptoms of Listeria can start as soon as the same day you eat an infected food or as late as 10 days after consumption. Listeria causes the infection listeriosis. When it makes it to a patient’s intestines, it’s marked by diarrhea and vomiting. That can potentially turn into the more serious invasive form of the illness, the symptoms of which can include fever and flu-like aches and fatigue. If you’ve eaten infected food or you have concerning symptoms, consult your healthcare provider.

The USDA urges people not to eat the affected products. If you have these in your fridge or freezer, either throw them away or return them to the place of purchase. If you have further questions about the recall, the USDA says to contact Yu Shang Food’s plant manager, Ling Li, at ling16099@yahoo.com or 864-310-6313.