Updated March 13 with additional cases and another fatality. A deadly Listeria outbreak linked to Yu Shang ready-to-eat meat and poultry products has ended after causing 24 illnesses in nine states. Twenty-two were hospitalized, and three families suffered the loss of their infants.
Yu Shang has issued a recall for all products produced before October 28, 2024.
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Yu Shang Listeria Outbreak
The outbreak includes 24 patients in nine states: California (14), Georgia (1), Illinois (2), Michigan (1), Nevada (1), New Jersey (1), New York (1), Oregon (1), and Tennessee (2). The illnesses occurred over a three-year period. Samples from sick people were collected from October 24, 2021, to January 25, 2025. Twenty-two of the patients, who range in age from less than one year old to 91 years old, were hospitalized. Eight illnesses were related to pregnancy.
Tragic Pregnancy Outcomes
Pregnant women can suffer miscarriage, stillbirth, or the delivery of an infected newborn even if they experience only mild flu-like symptoms. Seven illnesses in this outbreak were related to pregnancy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- One pregnant woman was sick and recovered.
- A California mother and her twins were sick and both infants died. Listeria was found in samples tested from the mother and one of the twins, but not from the other infant. For this reason, only the mother and one twin are included as confirmed cases in this outbreak.
- A Tennessee mother and her infant were sick and her infant died.
Listeria Outbreak Investigation
Health officials have interviewed 14 of the patients about foods they ate in the weeks before they became ill. Twelve said they shopped in person and online at markets where Yu Shang food products are sold. Thirteen patients were asked about precooked chicken products, nine said they had eaten precooked chicken products, and three specifically reported eating Yu Shang brand ready-to-eat chicken products.
Whole genome sequencing (WGS), a DNA fingerprinting technique, was performed on the Listeria cultured from the patients. Results showed the fingerprints closely resemble one another, suggesting that the patients were exposed to the same source of contamination. Tests on Yu Shang products were positive for Listeria, and WGS showed it matched the outbreak strain.
Listeria Symptoms
Symptoms of a Listeria infection usually appear within 24 hours of exposure but can sometimes take as long as 70 days to develop. They include:
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck
- High fever
- Muscle stiffness
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
Pregnant women can suffer a miscarriage or stillbirth even if they only experience mild flu-like symptoms.
Experienced Listeria Lawyers
The Pritzker Hageman Listeria lawyers have an unequaled track record. Our firm has represented clients in every major Listeria outbreak and has obtained numerous million and multi-million-dollar recoveries including:
- $6.4 million for neurologic injury from a contaminated deli product
- $4.5 million for permanent brain damage from contaminated food
- $3 million for a pregnant woman who lost her unborn twins after eating contaminated food
- $1 million for illness from contaminated deli meat
If you were sickened in this outbreak or if you suffered the wrongful death of a family member and would like a free consultation with our experienced team of Listeria lawyers, please contact us today by calling 888-377-8900 (toll-free), texting 612-261-0856, or by completing the form below.