Deadly Listeria Found in Chopped Celery

AUSTIN, TXThe discovery of Listeria monocytogenes in chopped celery prompted the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to close down Sangar Fresh Cut Produce, San Antonio, TX. The Listeria bacteria have been linked to five deaths in Texas.

The DSHS ordered Sangar Fresh Cut Produce to stop processing food and recall all products shipped from the plant since January of this year. The agency issued the order after laboratory tests of chopped celery from the plant indicated Listeria in the samples.

The recalled products consist primarily of fresh, cut produce in sealed packages and were distributed to restaurants and institutional foodservice sites, such as hospitals and schools. The Listeria-contaminated celery products are not thought to be sold in grocery stores. The order prohibits the plant from reopening without DSHS approval.

The tests that discovered the Listeria bacteria were part of a DSHS investigation into 10 listeriosis cases in the state, including five deaths, over an eight-month period. All of the illnesses occurred in people with serious underlying health problems. Listeriosis is known to have severe consequences in older people, pregnant women, newborns and adults with weakened immune systems. The agency says six of the 10 cases have been linked to the Sangar chopped celery.

DSHS inspectors also found sanitation issues at the plant and believe the Listeria found in the chopped celery may have contaminated other products made at the plant. DSHS continues to investigate possible sources of contamination and where the products currently subject to recall were distributed. Sangars customers are advised to discard or return the products.