Deadly Listeria Outbreak In CA Prompts Peach, Plum, Nectarine Recalls

CALIFORNIA — Whole peaches, plums and nectarines distributed nationwide and sold in California have been recalled after 11 people became sick and one person died from listeria, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Monday.

As of Friday, 11 people infected with the outbreak strain of listeria have been reported from seven states, including three people from California, according to the CDC. Cases have also been reported in Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan and Ohio.

One person from California died, the CDC said. There have been 10 hospitalizations, including one woman who got sick while pregnant and had a preterm labor.

"The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses," the CDC said in a food safety alert. "This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for listeria. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak."

The recalled fruit was distributed by HMC Farms. On Friday, HMC Farms voluntarily recalled the fruit, which was sold in stores as individual pieces of fruit with PLU stickers or in consumer packaging between May 1 and Nov. 15 in 2022 and 2023. The CDC advised people not to eat, sell or serve the recalled fruit because it may be contaminated with listeria.

Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Infections have also been linked to miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.