One Death Linked to Contaminated Deli Ham Listeria Outbreak
One death has been attributed to a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to Smithfield, NC-based Johnston County Hams. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) announced last week a recall of 89,096 (44 tons) of ready-to-eat ham products that may be contaminated. The ham products affected include various boneless and fully-cooked deli ham selections.
On September 27, USDA FSIS learned that one person who contracted listeriosis had consumed a ham product produced by Johnston County Hams. After that, an investigation ensued with the help of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and various state public health and agriculture partners. That epidemiological investigation led officials to believe that Johnston County Hams was linked to a total of four confirmed Listeria illnesses. The illnesses and the one death occurred between July 8, 2018 and August 11, 2018.