Peaches and nectarines are likely contaminated with Listeria

Peaches and nectarines are likely contaminated with Listeria

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says California has reported multiple cases of bacteria linked to the fruit in the latest outbreak.

Listeria outbreaks — linked to whole peaches, nectarines, and peaches — have been reported 11 times in seven states.

According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of Monday, three cases had been reported in California, the most of any state other than Florida.

The other five cases were reported in Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan and Ohio. According to a statement, ten people were taken to hospital, and one person died in California.

The timeline of the outbreak runs from 2018 to August.

Interviews with infected people and laboratory tests confirmed that whole peaches, nectarines, and peaches from Hamad Medical Corporation farms "cause people to become ill." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the Food and Drug Administration found Listeria in a sample of peaches. The company voluntarily recalled the fruit on Friday, sold throughout the United States between May 1 and November 15, 2022, and between May 1 and November 15 of this year due to possible contamination.

The CDC states that the number of sick people is likely higher than reported.

What you should do next

Peaches, nectarines, and plums should have been removed from retail store shelves.

Don't eat fruit. If you find anything in your home, get rid of it.

Clean your refrigerator, freezer, containers, and any other surfaces that come into contact with food because Listeria can spread easily.

This is unrelated to the salmonella outbreak linked to cantaloupes, which the CDC announced on Friday. One case was reported in California.

The FDA said that questions should be directed to 844-483-3867, HMC Consumer Information Office, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Listeria symptoms

These symptoms can appear as early as the same day once you eat food containing Listeria, according to the CDC:

Fever

Muscle pain

Idleness

headache

stiff neck

Confusion and loss of balance

Seizures

People most at risk of contracting the bacterial disease are pregnant women, those 65 and older, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

"This is because listeria is more likely to spread beyond their intestines to other parts of the body, leading to a serious condition known as invasive listeriosis," the CDC wrote.

Other fruit products are being investigated for possible contamination, the CDC said.