Texas Listeria Outbreak Has Killed Five
A Texas Listeria outbreak has prompted state health officials to order a sweeping recall of all products shipped since January from Sangar Fresh Cut Produce in San Antonio. The recall was ordered after lab tests of chopped celery from the plant indicated the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
The order prohibits the plant from reopening without approval from the Texas Department of State Health Services.
.gif)
The recalled products – primarily cut fresh produce in sealed packages – were distributed to restaurants and institutional entities, such as hospitals and schools, and are not believed to be sold in grocery stores. The testing was done as part of a Department of State Health Services investigation into 10 listeriosis cases, including five deaths, reported to the department over an eight-month period, the health department said in a press release. Six of the 10 cases have been linked to chopped celery from the Sangar plant, the release said.The illnesses occurred in Bexar, Travis and Hidalgo counties. All of the illnesses were in people with serious underlying health problems.
Besides finding traces of Listeria, Texas health inspectors also found sanitation issues at the plant and believe the Listeria found in the chopped celery may have contaminated other food. The department found a condensation leak above a food product area, soil on a preparation table and hand washing deficiences. The health department is notifying Sangar customers to ensure they are taking precautions.
Symptoms of listeriosis can include fever, muscle aches, diarrhea and vomiting. People with these symptoms should consult a physician. Symptoms typically occur three to 70 days after exposure. The disease affects primarily older people, pregnant women, newborns and people with weakened immune systems.
If you or a loved one has been victimized in this outbreak, contact a personal injury lawyer at PritzkerOlsen, P.A., at 1-888-377-8900 (TOLL FREE) or complete the contact form on the side of this Web page. Our firm is one of the few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and we have collected millions of dollars for food poisoning victims across the country.
