Key Update 

A Listeria outbreak tied to ready-to-eat pasta dishes has killed six people, hospitalised 25, and infected at least 27 across 18 U.S. states, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Federal health officials traced the source of the contamination to recalled pasta meals produced by Nate’s Fine Foods in Roseville, California, and distributed nationwide by FreshRealm, a meal prep company that supplies major retailers such as Trader Joe’s, Kroger, and Whole Foods.

Extent of the Outbreak

As of Friday, the CDC reported that 25 of 26 confirmed cases required hospitalisation, and six deaths occurred in Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, Texas, and Utah. One of the cases involved a pregnancy-related infection that resulted in a miscarriage.

CDC’s Warning

“Listeria monocytogenes is a serious pathogen that can contaminate ready-to-eat foods,” the CDC stated. Symptoms may appear the same day or up to 10 weeks after eating contaminated food. Health officials cautioned that the actual number of infections could be higher, as testing for Listeria can take several weeks, and some individuals may recover without seeking medical help.

Source: msn.com