Two people have already died in a deadly outbreak across America.
The outbreak is a micro-parasite called Listeria which is known to inhabit meat in particular.
Ongoing Investigation
There is an ongoing investigation by the FDA and CDC into where this outbreak started and why.
So far, 34 people are known to have got sick, and 33 of those have been hospitalized, with two of them dying from the infection.
Slow Moving
Listeria is a slow moving infection which is making the investigation harder.
It can take anything from a few hours to several weeks for an infection to manifest, by which time it can be hard to track which food caused the illness.
13 States Affected
So far, 13 states have been affected by the outbreak, including New Jersey and Illinois where the fatalities were.
More states are expected to be affected, however, as the products which have so far been identified as a risk are shipped nationwide.
Products Recalled
In an effort to combat the outbreak and identify the source, a raft of food products have now been recalled.
The most prominent of these is Boar’s Head Liverwurst. This was the first product identified in the investigation.
Recall Expanded
That initial recall has now been expanded to include many other companies and products.
These include Supreme Produce, Freshire Farms, Snowfruit, Stutz Packing Company and Wiers Farm.
Foods Affected
Some of the foods recalled include shelled walnuts, butternut squash, bell peppers and cucumber.
Most of these products have been recalled out of “an abundance of caution” according to the FDA website and people haven’t got sick from them, but they are at risk of containing Listeria.
What To Do
The full list of recalled products is available on the FDA website.
If you have a recalled product in your fridge or freezer, the advice is to destroy it and clean out the fridge or freezer.
Am I Sick?
The symptoms of listeriosis include, fever, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea, stiff neck, headaches, confusion and seizures.
If you have any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately. Listeria is of particular risk to those with compromised immune systems and pregnant mothers. Listeria can result in premature birth or the loss of the baby.
Third Leading Cause of Death
Listeriosis is the third leading cause of food-related illness in the US.
This is why no chances are being taken by the FDA and the food companies which may be at risk of contamination.
The Silent Killer: Salmonella Outbreaks Surge
Salmonella infections reached a 5-year high in 2024, with over 1.5 million cases reported. The CDC attributed this surge to contaminated poultry products and inadequate food safety practices in restaurants.
Historically, salmonella has been a persistent threat in the US food supply, with the first major outbreak traced back to contaminated eggs in the 1970s. Did you know that salmonella can survive on dry surfaces for up to 4 weeks, making cross-contamination a significant risk in food processing facilities?
E. coli: When Lettuce Turns Lethal
A nationwide E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce resulted in 200 hospitalizations and 15 fatalities in 2024. The contamination was traced back to irrigation water tainted with cattle feces in California’s Central Valley.
E. coli outbreaks have been a recurring issue in leafy greens, with a similar incident in 2018 leading to strengthened produce safety regulations. Did you know that E. coli can produce a toxin that causes kidney failure, particularly dangerous for children and the elderly?
The Rise of Antibiotic-Resistant Foodborne Pathogens
2024 saw an alarming increase in antibiotic-resistant strains of Campylobacter, resulting in 50 deaths nationwide. The rise was linked to the overuse of antibiotics in livestock, a practice that has been criticized by health experts for decades.
The first antibiotic-resistant foodborne pathogen was identified in the 1980s, marking the beginning of a growing public health concern. Did you know that up to 70% of antibiotics sold in the US are used in animal agriculture?
Imported Dangers: Global Food Supply Chains and Contamination
Hepatitis A outbreaks linked to imported frozen berries resulted in 100 hospitalizations and 5 deaths in 2024. The incident highlighted the challenges of ensuring food safety in increasingly complex global supply chains.
The FDA has been working to implement the Foreign Supplier Verification Program since 2015 to address these risks. Did you know that about 15% of the US food supply is imported, including 50% of fresh fruits and 20% of fresh vegetables?
The Hidden Threat: Undeclared Allergens
Fatal anaphylactic reactions due to undeclared allergens in processed foods increased by 30% in 2024, claiming 30 lives. The rise was attributed to cross-contamination in manufacturing facilities and mislabeling issues.
The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act, implemented in 2004, requires clear labeling of major food allergens, but enforcement remains challenging. Did you know that food allergies affect approximately 32 million Americans, including 5.6 million children under age 18?
