Listeria outbreaks cause at least 10 people to get sick in all of us
At least 10 people in the US have become ill from the outbreak of Listeria, which is linked to ready-to-eat foods, and producers are voluntarily recalling some of the products.
Scripps News
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies recent blueberry recalls as a likely risk of listeria contamination.
On July 1, the FDA issued a Class I grade of a recall of 12,000 pounds of organic blueberry produced by Almapac International in Atlanta, Georgia. The recall began on June 9th after regular testing of the facility discovered positive results for Listeria.
What Class I remember is a situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use or exposure of a violation product will cause serious adverse effects or death, the FDA’s website states.
According to the FDA, the recalled blueberries were shipped to one North Carolina customer.
USA Today could not contact Alma Pak International for comment.
Which products are listed in the recall?
The recalled products have the following lot codes: 13325 G1060 and 13325 G1096.
What is Listeria? What are the symptoms of Listeria infection?
Listeria is a foodborne bacterial disease that can cause listeriosis, which primarily affects elderly people, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns.
Common symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle pain, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and cramps.
In pregnant women, listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, or life-threatening infections in newborns. Infection can be fatal in elderly people and people with weakened immune systems.
People at high risk of infections who experience flu-like symptoms within two months of eating contaminated food should seek medical care.
Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics.
Gretacross is a national trend reporter for USA Today. Story ideas? Please email her gcross@usatoday.com.
