WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yu Shang Food, Inc., located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, has significantly expanded its recall of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the expanded recall on November 21, 2024, due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. This action revises and broadens a previous recall issued on November 9, 2024, and now encompasses approximately 72,240 pounds of products.
The recall affects all RTE meat and poultry items produced by Yu Shang Food prior to October 28, 2024. Consumers and retailers are urged to check for affected products, a comprehensive list of which is available on the FSIS website. These products were distributed nationwide through retail outlets and online sales platforms.
Products under recall bear the establishment number “P-46684” or “EST. M46684” within the USDA inspection mark. This identifier is crucial for consumers to verify if they possess any of the recalled items.
The issue came to light during routine FSIS testing of Yu Shang Food products manufactured on October 21, 2024. These tests confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Subsequent investigations, including environmental sampling at the Yu Shang Food facility, further substantiated the contamination. Whole genome sequencing analysis is currently underway to determine if the Listeria strains detected match those from a recent listeriosis outbreak.
FSIS, collaborating with public health partners, has identified a link between Yu Shang Food’s RTE meat and poultry products and a cluster of listeriosis illnesses.
Listeria monocytogenes contamination poses a significant health risk. Consumption of food tainted with this bacteria can lead to listeriosis, a severe infection. High-risk groups, including older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns, are particularly vulnerable. However, listeriosis can also affect individuals outside these categories.
Symptoms of listeriosis can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. These symptoms are sometimes preceded by gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea. In pregnant women, listeriosis can have devastating consequences, including miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, or life-threatening infections in newborns. Listeriosis is treatable with antibiotics, but early medical intervention is critical. Anyone in a high-risk group experiencing flu-like symptoms within two months of consuming potentially contaminated food should seek immediate medical attention and inform their healthcare provider about possible foodborne exposure.
FSIS is deeply concerned that consumers may still have these recalled products in their refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased any RTE meat or poultry products from Yu Shang Food produced before October 28, 2024, are strongly advised not to consume them. These products should be discarded immediately or returned to the point of purchase.
FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to ensure that recalling firms are effectively notifying their customers and removing recalled products from consumer access. Details regarding retail distribution will be posted on the FSIS website as they become available.
For media inquiries or consumer questions regarding this recall, individuals can contact Ling Li, Plant Manager at Yu Shang Food, Inc., via email at [email protected] or by phone at 864-310-6313. Consumers with food safety questions can also utilize the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or email [email protected]. To report issues with meat, poultry, or egg products, consumers can use the FSIS online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System.
This expanded recall by Yu Shang Food underscores the critical importance of food safety and the rigorous measures taken to protect public health from Listeria contamination in ready-to-eat food products. Consumers are urged to remain vigilant and take immediate action if they have purchased any of the recalled items.
