Listeria Food Poisoning Outbreak Prevention Measures Updated by USDA

Listeria Food Poisoning Outbreak Prevention Measures Updated by USDA

A series of recent listeria food poisoning outbreaks has prompted federal food inspectors to re-evaluate their review processes and implement several improvements aimed at protecting Americans from severe illnesses in the coming year.

Following a number of high-profile listeria outbreaks earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a press release on December 17, announcing that the agency will be taking stronger measures to protect the American public from listeria bacteria, starting as early as January 2025.

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne bacterium that causes listeriosis, an illness characterized by fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. While symptoms are often mild in healthy individuals, children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of severe complications, including hospitalization and death.

Pregnant women and their unborn children are particularly vulnerable to listeriosis. The infection can lead to devastating outcomes, such as premature delivery, miscarriage, or stillbirth, even if the mother experiences only mild symptoms.

Sports-Betting-Addiction-Lawsuits
Sports-Betting-Addiction-Lawsuits

The FSIS has announced plans to enhance its review processes in response to concerns over listeria contamination. While the evaluation remains ongoing, the agency has identified three key areas for improvement, with changes set to take effect within 30 days:

  • Enhancement of science-based approaches to stop the spread of foodborne pathogens, which will include increased testing of ready-to-eat products, environments and food contact surfaces
  • Improvement to tools and training for inspectors, by updating and standardizing inspector instructions, as well as conducting Food Safety Inspections and Assessments through in-person visits and follow-ups
  • Evolution of oversight for facilities that the agency regulates, including regular inspections of listeria-related risk factors at ready-to-eat manufacturing plants, and revising alert triggers for further establishment reviews

“As a science-based regulatory agency, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is constantly looking at ways we can and should evolve our processes to protect the public, maintain confidence in America’s food supply, and prevent foodborne illness,” USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety, Dr. Emilio Esteban, said.

Boar’s Head Deli Meat Listeria Outbreak and Others

The FSIS announcement comes on the heels of a major Boar’s Head deli meat listeria outbreak that occurred earlier this year.

Boar’s Head initiated a recall of deli meat products that had been tainted with listeria bacteria on July 26. The injuries caused by this outbreak resulted in a number of Boar’s Head listeria outbreak lawsuits, including several wrongful death lawsuits filed on behalf of individuals who died, as well as a class action lawsuit on behalf of all consumers exposed to the tainted deli meats.

In addition to the Boar’s Head listeria outbreak, there have been numerous other listeria-related outbreaks and recalls in recent months. These include a BrucePac recall of nearly 10 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat, as well as a frozen waffle recall over listeria risks, traced to TreeHouse Farms products that were sold at Walmart, Target and other major grocery chains.

Written by: Michael Adams

Senior Editor & Journalist

Michael Adams is a senior editor and legal journalist at AboutLawsuits.com with over 20 years of experience covering financial, legal, and consumer protection issues. He previously held editorial leadership roles at Forbes Advisor and contributes original reporting on class actions, cybersecurity litigation, and emerging lawsuits impacting consumers.

Image Credit: Shutterstock: Tada Images



0 Comments


This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Share Your Comments

This field is hidden when viewing the form
I authorize the above comments be posted on this page
Post Comment
Weekly Digest Opt-In

Want your comments reviewed by a lawyer?

To have an attorney review your comments and contact you about a potential case, provide your contact information below. This will not be published.

NOTE: Providing information for review by an attorney does not form an attorney-client relationship.

MORE TOP STORIES

Breast mesh implants promoted as internal bras are now under scrutiny, following studies and FDA warnings linking the devices to infections, implant loss, and surgical failure. Lawsuits are being investigated for women who suffered complications after reconstruction or augmentation procedures involving products like GalaFLEX, Phasix, Strattice, and AlloDerm.
Dupixent users are coming forward with accounts of devastating cancer diagnoses, saying the popular eczema drug masked early warning signs of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. As the FDA investigates and the first lawsuit is filed, researchers warn Dupixent may unmask or accelerate hidden cancers, raising urgent questions about its long-term safety.
Plaintiffs involved in GLP-1 vision loss lawsuits are calling for the litigation to be consolidated in New Jersey federal court, and not be bundled with existing stomach paralysis litigation.