Federal health officials have identified frozen supplement shakes manufactured by Prairie Farms Dairy in Indiana as the source of a deadly Listeria outbreak that has resulted in 14 fatalities.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), confirmed on Thursday that the contaminated products were linked to multiple outbreaks of listeriosis, a serious infection caused by consuming food tainted with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes.
According to a joint statement by the agencies, the outbreak involved a series of illnesses reported across several states. Medical investigations and food safety inspections pointed to frozen nutritional shakes as the common product consumed by afflicted individuals.
Listeria primarily affects older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and newborns, and can cause severe illness or even death. The CDC indicated that the 14 deaths occurred over several months but have now been conclusively connected to products from the Prairie Farms facility.
The FDA has launched a full investigation into the production and handling practices at the Indiana-based plant. In response, Prairie Farms Dairy has initiated a voluntary recall of the affected shake products and is cooperating with the authorities to prevent further risk.
Consumers are urged to check their freezers for any frozen supplement shakes made by Prairie Farms and to avoid consuming them. The CDC recommends disposing of the product immediately or returning it to the place of purchase for a refund.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about food safety and underscores the importance of stringent sanitation and monitoring procedures in food manufacturing facilities. Further updates are expected as the investigation continues.
Source: https:// – Courtesy of the original publisher.
