Outbreak Investigation Summary
Data showed that whole peaches, nectarines, and plums distributed by HMC Farms made people in this outbreak sick.
- Of the seven people interviewed, all (100%) reported eating peaches, nectarines or plums.
- The outbreak strain of Listeria was found in a sample of HMC Farms peaches. WGS showed that the Listeria in the peaches were closely related to bacteria from sick people.
Recalled food
Recalled peaches, nectarines, and plums are no longer available for sale and the use-by dates have passed. All recalls that resulted from this investigation are listed on FDA's recall website.
Bagged peaches
One of the recalled bagged peaches
Bagged nectarines
One of the recalled bagged nectarines
Bagged plums
One of the recalled bagged plums
What you should do
Stay Healthy and Prevent Listeria
- Find out if you are at higher risk for getting sick with Listeria.
- Learn which foods are more likely to contain Listeria and take steps to prevent getting sick.
- Stay up to date on food recalls and outbreaks to avoid getting sick from eating contaminated food.
Symptoms of Listeria
- Listeria is especially harmful to pregnant women, people aged 65 or older, or people with weakened immune systems. This is because Listeria is more likely to spread beyond their gut to other parts of their body, resulting in a severe condition known as invasive listeriosis.
- For pregnant women, Listeria can cause pregnancy loss, premature birth, or a life-threatening infection in newborns.
- For people who are 65 years or older or who have a weakened immune system, Listeria often results in hospitalization and sometimes death.
- For pregnant women, Listeria can cause pregnancy loss, premature birth, or a life-threatening infection in newborns.
- Symptoms usually start within 2 weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after.
- Pregnant women: Fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. Your illness may be mild, but Listeria can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth. It can also cause serious illness or death in newborns.
- Other people may have: Headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, in addition to fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.
- Pregnant women: Fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. Your illness may be mild, but Listeria can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth. It can also cause serious illness or death in newborns.