Delaware DPH Announces Confirmed Listeria Case from Tainted Meat
This post was originally written by Digital Content Intern Patrick LaPorte. LaPorte is a senior media communications major at the University of Delaware, working as a news and sports reporter for The Review and sports director for 91.3 WVUD at UD.
The first state became the second in the nation to confirm at least one case of Listeria from Tyson Foods’ approximately 8.5 million pounds of recalled frozen, fully cooked chicken. The company announced the recall over the holiday weekend due to possible exposure to the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. If spread beyond the stomach, the disease can cause severe illness and puts people older than 65, pregnant people and those with weak immune systems at high-risk.
According to Tyson and Delaware’s Department of Public Health, the products were made and dated between Dec. 26, 2020, and April 13, 2021. A full list of recalled products and photos can be found on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website and Tyson Foods’ website. Products that were recalled have the code “EST. P-7089” on the bag or on the USDA inspection mark. Any person that has bought the products should throw it out or return it to where it was purchased. Along with retail stores, the affected products were shipped to other establishments including schools and restaurants nationwide and sold under multiple brand names along with Tyson. Delaware’s single confirmed case of the illness came after the Center for Disease Control confirmed a total of three cases across the country between April 6 and June 5. The two other confirmed cases were in Texas, with one resulting in a death, according to the Delaware Department of Public Health.
The disease can cause typical illnesses associated with food poisoning including fever and vomiting, along with stiff necks, headaches and confusion. Listeria can also cause premature birth, pregnancy loss or the death of a newborn in people who are pregnant or recently gave birth.
