Listeria Outbreak Linked to Deli Meat and Cheese, 7 Sick, 1 Dead

A four-state Listeria outbreak linked to deli meat and cheese has sickened eight people killing one of them. The outbreak began in late 2016 with the most recent case reported in March 2019.

A product recall has not been issued as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) has not yet been able to identify a common supplier of the contaminated item or items. Until they do, they will not release the brand names, products or stores associated with this outbreak.

It’s important to note, that the public disclosure of brands and names or stores is not required to file a lawsuit. If there is evidence that shows a link between the contaminated product and the illness, a claim can be filed.

So far, the only specific information about the products involved has come from Consumer Reports which was conducting its own analysis of counter-sliced deli meats last year. One of the samples they tested -sliced turkey purchased from a deli in New York City tested positive for Listeria. Genetic tests showed the strain found in the Consumer Reports sample closely resembles the outbreak strain cultured from the people who became ill.

Consumer Reports shared its findings with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And with New York City’s health department in late 2018. Two illnesses were reported after that, one in February 2019 and one in March 2019.

Deli-Sliced Meat and Cheese Listeria Outbreak

Since November 2016, three cases have been reported from Pennsylvania, Michigan and New York have each reported two, and New Jersey has reported one. All of them were hospitalized. The fatality was reported in Michigan.

Health officials interviewed six of the eight people who were sickened. All of them reported eating meats and cheeses sliced at deli counters before they became ill. Outbreak investigators have collected samples from the delis where these people shopped. The outbreak strain has been identified in samples collected from multiple stores in New York and Rhode Island.

The people sickened in this outbreak range in age from 40 to 88 years old. The median age is 57. People who are at increased risk for Listeria infections are pregnant women, seniors and people with compromised immune systems. Among pregnant women, Listeria can cause miscarriage and stillbirth.

People in these high-risk groups should never eat deli meats unless they are heated to an internal temperature of 165°F before serving. And at this time, health officials are reminding consumers of this.

If you are among those sickened in this outbreak and would like to explore your legal options, contact our Listeria lawyers. The Pritzker Hageman Listeria Team has more experience handling Listeria infection cases than any other law firm in the United States. For a free consultation,  call 1 (888) 377-8900, send a text to 612-261-0856. Or, complete the form below.

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