The FDA has identified the suspected source of a new Listeria outbreak and is tracing its path to grocery stores and restaurants. The outbreak was identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) using Pulsenet, a national database of DNA “fingerprints” of bacteria that have caused a foodborne illness.
Eleven illnesses in 10 states have been confirmed, but the CDC says it is likely that many more people were sickened. The 11 patients, who range in age from 47 to 88 years old, were diagnosed with listeriosis on dates ranging from July 3, 2018, to January 31, 2023. The number of illnesses reported from each state are: Arkansas (1), California (1), Colorado (1), Michigan (2), Missouri (1), New York (1), North Carolina (1), Pennsylvania (1), South Dakota (1), and Washington (1).
The FDA’s initiation of this product traceback is the first development in this investigation since the CDC announced the outbreak on February 15. Listeria is found in nature but grows well in cool, damp environments and is not killed by freezing. Recent Listeria outbreaks have been linked to packaged salads, enoki mushrooms, deli meat, ice cream, cheese, hard-boiled eggs, cooked chicken, and caramel apples.
Symptoms of a Listeria infection usually develop within 24 hours of exposure but can take as long as 70 days to develop. They include; severe headache, high fever, stiff neck, other muscle stiffness, loss of balance, confusion, and convulsions.
Experienced Listeria Lawyers
If you developed a Listeria infection after eating contaminated food and would like to discuss your legal options, please contact our Listeria lawyers. Our Food Safety Team has more experience handling Listeria lawsuits than any other law firm in the country securing some of the largest Listeria settlements in U.S. history including a recent award of $6.4 million.
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