A Listeria outbreak linked to Long Phung pork products has ended after sickening four people in four states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All four people required hospitalization to treat the illness they developed after eating the contaminated food. After a look at Long Phung’s inspection records, Listeria lawyer Fred Pritzker wonders if the outbreak could have been prevented.
“The day after health officials collected the Listeria specimen from the fourth case-patient, health inspectors temporarily closed Long Phung’s facility in Houston for repeat food safety violations,” said Pritzker. “In fact, it was the second temporary closure in three months.”
During the three-month period between the temporary closures of the facility on July 13, 2018 and October 23, 2018, Long Phung was cited for 20 food safety violations, according to inspection records from the Houston Health Department. These violations included improper storage of food, lack of protection to prevent the entrance of flying insects; and utensils, equipment and facility not maintained in good working order.
Pork Product Listeria Recall and Outbreak
The CDC announced the outbreak linked to Long Phung pork products on November 21, 2018, one day after the company issued a recall for ready-to-eat pork products. The recalled products had the establishment number “EST. 13561” inside the USDA mark of inspection. They included:
- 16-oz. plastic vacuum packed packages containing a single marinated roll of “Long Phung 1988 GIO LUA” VIETNAMESE BRAND COOKED PORK PATTY ROLL ANCHOVY FLAVORED FISH SAUCE ADDED.
- 32-oz. plastic vacuum packed packages containing a single marinated roll of “Long Phung 1988 GIO LUA” VIETNAMESE STYLE COOKED PORK PATTY ROLL ANCHOVY FLAVORED FISH SAUCE ADDED.
- 14-oz. plastic vacuum packed packages containing a single marinated roll of “Long Phung 1988 CHA QUE” VIETNAMESE STYLE FRIED CINNAMON PORK PATTY ROLL ANCHOVY FLAVORED FISH SAUCE ADDED.
- 16-oz. plastic vacuum packed packages containing a single marinated roll of “Long Phung 1988 GIO HUE” VIETNAMESE BRAND GARLIC & PEPPER PORK PATTY ROLL ANCHOVY FLAVORED FISH SAUCE ADDED.
- 32-oz. plastic vacuum packed packages containing a single marinated roll of “Long Phung 1988 GIO HUE” VIETNAMESE COOKED PORK PATTY ROLL WITH GARLIC SEASONING ANCHOVY FLAVORED FISH SAUCE ADDED.
- 16-oz. plastic vacuum packed packages containing a single marinated roll of “Long Phung 1988 CHA CHIEN” VIETNAMESE STYLE FRIED PORK PATTY ANCHOVY FLAVORED FISH SAUCE ADDED.
- 16-oz. plastic vacuum packed packages containing a single marinated roll of “Long Phung GIO BI” VIETNAMESE BRAND COOKED PORK & PORK SKIN PATTY ROLL FLAVORED WITH ANCHOVY FLAVORED FISH SAUCE.
Listeria Illnesses
Using a technique called Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and a national subtyping network, health officials identified four people in four states (MI, LA, TN and TX) who were likely sickened by the same contaminated food source. They interviewed the case-patients, who range in age from 35 to 84 years old, about foods they had eaten before they became ill. They reported eating Asian-style foods and shopping at locations where Long Phung products were sold.
WGS performed on samples collected at the Long Phung facility showed a close relation to the outbreak strain. When notified about this information, Long Phung issued a recall for pork products produced from May 21, 2018, through November 16, 2018.
Listeria Lawyer Consultation
To contact the Pritzker Hageman Listeria Team about a free consultation regarding a Listeria illness, use the form below. Or, call toll-free 1(888) 377-8900.