A deadly, multistate outbreak of Listeria infections has been linked to packaged hard-boiled eggs, and retailers and consumers are warned not to serve, sell, use or consume the products.
The boiled and peeled eggs were packaged in plastic pails by Almark Foods in Gainesville, Georgia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC) which along with the US Food and Drug Administration is investigating. They were sold nationwide to foodservice operators, so consumers likely would find them in a store or a restaurant, the CDC said.
Four of seven people who reported infections across five states have been hospitalized, and one death was reported in Texas, the CDC said. Those affected also were in Florida, Maine, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina.
The CDC released a nationwide alert this week. The product has not been recalled. Almark Foods’ hard-boiled eggs are not sold directly to consumers.
“It’s important to note that the product in question was shipped to foodservice distributors, restaurants, and other wholesale outlets and does not involve eggs in packages on shelves for consumer purchase at retail stores,” Almark said in a statement to CNN.
Symptoms of Listeria Infection
Symptoms of Listeria infection include fever, flu-like symptoms such as fatigue and muscle aches, as well as headaches, confusion, and balance loss.
Listeria infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn, the CDC warns.
People with the infection usually report symptoms one to four weeks after consuming the infected food, the agency says.
People at High-Risk for Infection Should Be Careful
Because it may be hard for consumers to tell if they are eating the Almark Foods eggs linked to the outbreak, people at higher risk for Listeria infection should be more careful, the CDC says.
At higher risk are pregnant mothers and newborns, people over the age of 65, and those with weakened immune systems, such as people with cancer or on dialysis.
Until the CDC knows more about the outbreak, it recommends high-risk consumers throw out any store-bought hard-boiled eggs or products containing them, like egg salad.
Do not eat those products, the health agency says. Instead, throw them out and sanitize the places where they were stored.
Before you eat something that may contain hard-boiled eggs at a restaurant or store, check with managers to make sure the eggs are not from Almark Foods. If they do contain Almark eggs or the venue isn’t sure, do not buy or order the product, the health agency says.
By Elizabeth Wolfe and Saeed Ahmed
