At last count, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 72 illnesses, including 13 deaths, which are being connected to the contaminated produce, said The Associated Press (AP). Another three deaths are under investigation by state and local officials, the AP added. The figures were released yesterday, said the AP, and included new confirmation on 5 additional deaths in Kansas (1), Missouri (1), Nebraska (1), and Texas (2).

Just prior, said the AP, the CDC reported additional deaths in Colorado (2), New Mexico (4), Oklahoma (1), and Maryland (1). And, now, officials in New Mexico are investigating another death and in Kansas and Wyoming even more fatalities are under investigation. This current outbreak, tragically, is worse than the peanut Salmonella outbreak three years ago in which 9 people died, said the AP.

In all, illnesses and deaths have been reported in 18 states: California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, the greatest concentrations in Colorado (15), New Mexico (10), Oklahoma (8), and Texas (14), noted the AP.

Listeia can take up to two months to present with symptoms after consumption of contaminated food. Although the tainted cantaloupe has been removed from stores, consumers could have the produce in their homes; with the long incubation periods, this means that reports of illnesses connected to this outbreak can continue to be reported for some time.

“That long incubation period is a real problem,” a CDC official told the AP. “People who ate a contaminated food two weeks ago or even a week ago could still be falling sick weeks later.”

The Listeria pathogen is considered even deadlier that the very dangerous Salmonella and E. coli pathogens, despite that the latter result in more illnesses each year, said the AP pointing to other deadly Listeria contamination outbreaks. In 1998 hot dogs, and possibly Bil Mar Foods—a Sara Lee Corp. subsidiary—deli meats led to 21 deaths. In 1985, 52 people died in an outbreak linked to soft Mexican-style cheese.

The outbreak appears to have originated with cantaloupe produced at Jensen Farms in Holly, Colorado. The farm recalled 300,000 whole cantaloupes in mid-September and Listeria was found in cantaloupes secured from a Colorado grocery and from a victim’s home; matching Listeria strains were discovered on equipment and produce samples at Jensen Farms’ Granada, Colorado packing facility, said the AP. Contaminated cantaloupe might be labeled “Colorado Grown,” “Distributed by Frontera Produce,” `’Jensenfarms.com” or “Sweet Rocky Fords”; however, not all involved produce was labeled with a sticker, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said the AP.

On Tuesday, State District Judge Barbara Nellermoe ruled in favor of Castellano’s family after Sangar failed to appear in court.

In January, Hermillo Castellano’s wife, Elizabeth, filed a lawsuit against the company alleging their produce caused the death of her husband.

In May 2010, while Castellano was a patient at Methodist Hospital he was fed celery produced by Sangar and developed severe gastrointestinal symptoms. As a result, he died three weeks later.

After an inspection, the Texas Department of State Health Services closed the San Antonio produce company saying the celery produced by Sangar posed “an immediate and serious threat to human life or health,” reported KENS5 News.

The department also recalled thousands of pounds of produce distributed to more than 300 customers, including restaurants, hospitals, school districts and military facilities.

Following six cases of listeriosis linked to Sangar produce, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration conducted an investigation of the company and found their processed celery was contaminated with Listeria bacteria. The agency also confirmed that Listeria bacteria were located in multiple food contact surfaces and other locations within the plant.

Listeriosis symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. The illness is most dangerous for pregnant women, the elderly, very young children, and those with weakened immune systems.

This recall involves Giant Eagle and Food Club brand frozen loose hash browns. According to the recall notice, the independent and unrelated manufacturer of the hash browns has been informed of the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in products made in the same facility as the recalled items.

Upon receiving this information, Giant Eagle immediately performed a voluntary market recall of all potentially affected products and engaged an independent laboratory to test samples of these products. Giant Eagle has confirmed that some of the recalled products have tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause listeriosis which is a potentially serious infection.

The products affected by this recall are:

Giant Eagle Country Style Hash Browns (UPC 300341086)
Giant Eagle Western Style Hash Browns (UPC 3003401076)
Giant Eagle Southern Hash Browns (UPC 3003401075)
Giant Eagle Diced Hash Browns (UPC 300341087)
Giant Eagle Shredded Hash Browns (UPC 300341088)
Food Club Shredded Hash Browns (UPC 3680006530).

Customers who have previously purchased the affected product should dispose of it or return it to their local Giant Eagle where they will receive the double your money back guarantee upheld for all Giant Eagle brand products.

Listeriosis is dangerous and can often be deadly, causing serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In pregnant women, Listeriosis can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or birth of a baby suffering from the infection.

No illnesses have been linked to any of these recalled hash browns.

According to U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the recall involves the following.

* 16-ounce packages of “SUPER TRIM, Shurfine, IMPORTED, COOKED HAM, WATER ADDED, 98% FAT FREE.

The ham products were produced on November 25, 2009, and distributed to retail establishments in Maine and New Hampshire. Each package bears the establishment number “141” inside the Canadian seal of inspection and a Sell by date of “10JA24.”

So far, no illnesses have been attributed to these recalled ham products.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the following product is subject to this recall:

• 2 to 3 pound vacuum packed “Texas Star Meat Company SMOKED BEEF BRISKET Fully Cooked.” Each label bears the establishment number “EST. 27340″ inside the USDA mark of inspection and a day-glo sticker “Sliced” next to the product label.

Each 50-pound case, which can be identified by the case code “222A”, contains approximately twenty (20) 2 to 3 pound briskets. The smoked beef brisket products were produced on by the Lone Star Brisket Company of Thorndale, Texas Aug. 11, 2009 and distributed to Department of Defense Commissaries in New Mexico and Oklahoma.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However, listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Media and consumers with questions about the recall should contact company General Manager Chris Frazier at (512) 898-5423.

FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of the beef brisket included in this recall.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA),no illnesses have been associated any of the recalled products.  However, consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy.  According to the USDA, no illnesses have been attributed to either of these recalled products.

The following products are subject to recall:

• 2.5-pound approximate-weight vacuum packages, 6 legs per package, of “D’ARTAGNAN TRADITIONAL DUCK LEG CONFIT.” Each package bears a “USE/OR/FREEZE BY” date of “08/07/09″ as well as the establishment number “P-5374″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.
• 2.5-pound approximate-weight vacuum packages of “Schaller & Weber HUNGARIAN BRAND KOLBASE.” Each package bears a date code of “MFG. 005159″ as well as the establishment number “EST. 5374″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The duck and sausage products were produced on May 13, 2009. The duck products were sent to distributors and restaurants in Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

The sausage products were sent to distributors and restaurants in New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia as well as the company’s retail store in New York City.

Listeriosis is a type of food poisoning generated by the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria and is dangerous to the elderly, pregnant women, newborns, those with chronic medical conditions, people with HIV, or those who are undergoing chemotherapy. Most people experience mild flu-like symptoms—fever, muscle aches, nausea, or diarrhea. In serious cases, the disease spreads to the nervous system, causing headaches, stiff neck, and convulsions. In pregnant women, Listeriosis can result in miscarriage or stillbirth. Listeria lives in soil, stream water, sewage, plants, and food and can easily contaminate dairy and beef products; Listeria thrives in cold environments.

Fresca Italia’s Burrata was distributed in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Southern California in retail stores and restaurants. Fresca Italia’s Burrata weighs approximately 8.8 ounces and is packaged in a white and green plastic wrapper with the manufacturer’s name—“Caseificio Voglie di Latte”—and the product name—“Burrata.” The recalled batch is labeled with the expiration date of 24/5/2008. Fresca Italia has immediately halted further distribution of the Burrata product.

This year, Listeria has been the focus of a number of outbreaks, including three cases in North Carolina linked to soft cheeses and an outbreak at Massachusetts’ Whittier Farms dairy where four people died and more were sickened.

Earlier last month, the Georgia Department of Agriculture discovered Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of Bright Water Smoked Salmon & Cheese Spread. Also, R&R Alsatian Sausage and Products recalled some of its beef jerky products due to a possible Listeria contamination, according to the Department of State Health Services in Texas. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) directed Hope Food Supply Inc., a Pasadena, Texas, food processor, to shut down and immediately recall all products manufactured from its Texas facility since 2007 due to possible food contaminant risks following Hope Food’s failure to follow a previous consent decree.

Last week, the FDA announced another food recall for Listeria contamination. Amish Macaroni Salad was recalled and also, recently, Supreme Cuts, LLC voluntarily recalled 87 cases of Off the Cob Fresh Kernel Corn in 12-ounce bags for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has deemed the Gourmet Boutique recall a Class I alert, which carries the highest priority and is only issued when there is a “reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.”

Listeriosis is a type of food poisoning generated by the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria and is dangerous to the elderly, pregnant women, newborns, those with chronic medical conditions, people with HIV, or those who are undergoing chemotherapy. Most experience only mild flu like symptoms—fever, muscle aches, nausea, or diarrhea. In serious cases, the disease spreads to the nervous system, causing headaches, stiff neck, and convulsions. In pregnant women, Listeriosis can result in miscarriage or stillbirth. Listeria lives in soil, stream water, sewage, plants, and food and can easily contaminate dairy and beef products; listeria thrives in cold environments.

On Saturday, Gourmet Boutique recalled nearly three-dozen products, including fresh foods sold under the names Gourmet Boutique Curry Chicken Salad, Gourmet Boutique Turkey Club Twister, and Jan’s Buffalo Bob tortilla wrap sandwiches. Frozen products include Archer Farms mini beef, pulled-pork, and chicken burritos. Salad products possibly containing contaminated meat were recalled and produced between April 19 and 24; frozen products were produced between October 23 and April 23. Many of the recalled fresh products bore May 2 or 3 “sell by” or “best before” dates.

In a recorded message for consumers, the company said it made a number of changes at the plant to prevent a recurrence of such problems. “We are confident of the safety and quality of our products, which will continue to be validated through our ongoing sampling practice as part of our food safety programs,” the message said.

The Massachusett Health Department recently established a possible link between Whittier Farms Milk and a fifth case in the outbreak. The new suspected case involves a 31-year-old pregnant woman who fell ill in September after drinking milk from Whittier Farms. State health officials said the woman and her baby are doing well.

So far, the listeria contaminated milk made by Whittier Farms has killed three elderly men. A 78-year-old man was the first to die from the tainted milk in June. A 75-year-old man died in October and an 87-year-old man fell ill in November and died last Thursday. Listeriosis from Whittier Farms Milk has also been blamed for causing the fourth victim to suffer a miscarriage. Last week, it was confirmed that coffee-flavored milk from a cooler at the Whittier Farms dairy carried germs identical to the listeria bacteria that sickened all four victims.

Listeriosis is a type of food poisoning especially dangerous to the elderly, pregnant women, newborns, and those with chronic medical conditions. The contamination causes mild flu-like symptoms including fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea. In serious cases, the disease spreads to the nervous system, causing headaches, stiff neck, and convulsions. Listeria lives in soil and water and can easily contaminate dairy and beef products. Because listeria thrives in cold, milk offers an ideal environment.

Despite the fact that the Whittier Farms dairy is currently shut down, health officials in Massachusetts are concerned that more people could become ill from the tainted milk. That’s because listeriosis has a 70 day incubation period. If someone consumed listeria-tainted Whittier Farms Milk the day the Massachusetts Health Department issued its first public warning on the outbreak – December 27 – symptoms of listeriosis could appear as late as March 6, 2008.

According to local media reports, state health officials are continuing to investigate how milk from Whittier Farms became contaminated. The department collected more than 100 production-line samples from the dairy last week, and the results are expected later this week. Whittier Farms was last inspected by the state in October. Whittier Farms has earned praise from state inspectors for the cleanliness of its operations and adherence to regulations. Minor violations noted on state reports during the last decade have been promptly corrected, and none revealed the presence of listeria contamination prior to the current outbreak.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 2,500 people become seriously ill with listeriosis annually; 500 result in death.  In Massachusetts, about 25 cases are identified yearly, but DeMaria said those represent only a fraction since most people experience only mild flu like symptoms—fever, muscle aches, nausea, or diarrhea—never reporting them.  In serious cases, the disease spreads to the nervous system, causing headaches, stiff neck, and convulsions.  Listeria lives in soil and water and can easily contaminate dairy and beef products; because listeria thrives in cold, milk is an ideal environment.

Testing showed the bacteria infecting four victims shared identical genetic fingerprints—their illnesses were likely caused by the same source.  When investigators interviewed those who were recently ill, they discovered one victim had an open container of the milk in the refrigerator.  Tests revealed it was tainted with the same type of listeria that sickened two, killed two, and resulted in one miscarriage.  At least one of the deceased men consumed Whittier milk.

Whittier is a mom-and-pop operation that runs two stores and sells milk in glass bottles delivered to customers’ doorsteps in Worcester County.  Whittier breeds and milks its own cows, delivers the milk to its creamery, processes it, and sells it at its stores and nearby farm stands.  Inspectors regularly visit dairies and the labs dairies use to conduct their quality control testing.  The state also collects samples and independently tests milk to ensure its safety.  When food safety and disease specialists visited Whittier last week, they found the pasteurization system to be fully intact and free of contamination, a strong clue that tainting occurred following processing.

Meanwhile, there were at least three recent cases of listeriosis in North Carolina identified in Moore, Durham, and Mecklenburg counties; a probable case was identified in Buncombe County.  All three confirmed cases involved Latinas; two were pregnant women whose pregnancies ended in miscarriage.  The third case also involved a pregnant woman; she delivered early and she and her baby are doing well. The probable case involves another pregnant Latina who lost her baby.  All four women consumed soft cheeses from a variety of sources.  Although the cases occurred close together in time, data from molecular testing confirmed different strains were involved.  Because a single product does not seem to be the source, a general Listeria warning was issued.