HEALTH
Deadly Listeria Outbreak Linked To Recalled Peaches, Plums And Nectarines
FDA
At least 10 hospitalizations and one death were reported across several states as part of a listeria outbreak linked to recalled stone fruits including peaches, plums and nectarines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday.
The agency said there could be many more cases of illness, and in more states, because some people may recover without ever seeing a doctor or being tested for listeria.
California-based HMC Farms on Friday voluntarily recalled the fruit sold between May 1 and Nov. 15, 2022, and between May 1 and Nov. 15, 2023. The recalled fruit was conventionally grown, not organic, and was sold nationwide as single pieces and in packages.
Although the recalled fruits are no longer available in stores, the Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers who may have frozen affected fruits for later use.
Consumers are advised to discard recalled fruit and thoroughly clean any surfaces that came in contact with the fruit.
According to the FDA, the organism Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Listeria infection can also cause stillbirths and miscarriages in pregnant women. Healthy individuals may experience symptoms including high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
According to the CDC, one death associated with the outbreak was reported in California. One person who got sick during pregnancy went into labor prematurely. Cases were reported in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan and Ohio.
TMX contributed to this article.
