Infected fruit, possibly from a batch already subject to recall, could be the cause of a listeria outbreak in several states, including three cases in Florida, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns.
Ten people were hospitalized and one person died, according to a health alert issued Monday afternoon by the agency. The actual number of infected people could be higher since some of them will recover without medical care and will not be tested for the disease.
Listeria is contracted by eating food contaminated with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. An estimated 1,600 people contract listeriosis each year and approximately 260 deaths are reported each year.
Symptoms of listeria include fever, flu-like symptoms, such as muscle aches and fatigue, headache, and neck stiffness.
Those most at risk of infection are pregnant women, newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems. Infection during pregnancy usually results in miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection for the newborn.
An investigation into existing cases found that people became ill after eating whole peaches, nectarines and plums distributed by HMC Farms. The producer started a reminder of a batch of fruit sold in stores between May and November of this year and into 2022. The decision came after the Food and Drug Administration discovered the outbreak strain in a sample of the company’s peaches.
These fruits should no longer be in stores but could be in customers’ freezers, warned the CDC, which advises people to check their freezers and throw out any fruit that should have been recalled.
The recalled fruit was sold in 2-pound bags marked “HMC Farms” or “Signature Farms.” Consumers with further questions can contact the company’s consumer information desk at 844-483-3867.
Investigators are working to identify any other fruit products that may be contaminated, the health advisory said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says a listeria outbreak is linked to fruit recalled from HMC Farms.
( Food and Drug Administration )
