Core Points - A California-based food company has recalled nearly 245,000 pounds (approximately 111 tons) of cooked Italian pasta due to Listeria contamination [1] - The affected pasta has been used in various food products sold in multiple supermarkets across the U.S. [1] - The recall was initiated on September 25, with the company supplying pasta to large ready-to-eat meal and pasta salad producers [1] - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed that the pasta contained strains of Listeria linked to a recent outbreak [1] - As of September 25, 20 cases of Listeria infections have been reported across 15 states, resulting in 19 hospitalizations and 4 deaths [1] - One case involved a pregnant woman whose infection led to a miscarriage [1] Industry Impact - The recall has prompted multiple stores nationwide to remove products made with the affected pasta from their shelves [1] - The FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have advised consumers to avoid consuming the recalled products and to either discard them or return them to the store [1] - The ongoing federal government shutdown has affected the timely updating of data on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website regarding the current status of Listeria infections in the U.S. [1]

Group 1 - A large retail chain in the U.S. has announced a recall of pasta and salad products sold in multiple states due to listeria contamination concerns [2][3] - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Agriculture, and local health departments to investigate the listeria infection cases [1][3] - As of September 25, 20 cases of listeria infections have been reported across 15 states, with 19 hospitalizations and 4 deaths, including a miscarriage linked to a pregnant woman's infection [5][8] Group 2 - The CDC has issued a warning to the public to avoid consuming potentially contaminated foods and to clean refrigerators and surfaces that may have come into contact with contaminated products [7] - Symptoms of listeria infection typically appear within two weeks after consuming contaminated food, including fever, muscle aches, and confusion, posing higher risks to pregnant women, individuals over 65, and those with weakened immune systems [8]

Core Points - The FDA is collaborating with multiple federal agencies and state health departments to investigate recent listeria infections linked to deli and salad products across several states [1] - Kroger has announced a recall of pasta and salad products sold in multiple states due to potential listeria contamination, following safety alerts from the USDA regarding products sold by Walmart and other grocery chains [1] - As of September 25, 20 cases of listeria infections have been reported across 15 states, resulting in 19 hospitalizations and 4 deaths, including a miscarriage due to infection in a pregnant woman [1] Industry Impact - The investigation and recalls may impact consumer confidence in deli and salad products, particularly from major retailers like Kroger and Walmart [1] - The ongoing situation highlights the importance of food safety regulations and the role of federal agencies in monitoring and responding to foodborne illness outbreaks [1][2] - The CDC has issued warnings to the public regarding the consumption of potentially contaminated foods, emphasizing the need for proper food handling and storage practices [1][2]

Group 1 - The French health department reported a total of 21 cases of listeria infection since June, resulting in 2 deaths [1][3] - The infected individuals ranged in age from 34 to 95 years, with the first cases diagnosed in June [1] - An investigation linked the infections to soft cheese produced by a local French cheese manufacturer, which has been supplying products to major supermarket chains like Carrefour since its establishment in 1952 [3] Group 2 - As of September 9, multiple cheese products from the implicated company have been recalled, and the production line associated with listeria contamination has been shut down [5] - Listeria is a resilient bacterium that can survive on surfaces for extended periods and is primarily transmitted through food [5] - Most listeria patients may not exhibit symptoms or only show mild gastrointestinal issues, but severe illness can occur in the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, or those with chronic conditions; infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or severe infections in newborns [5]

Group 1: Listeria Outbreak in the U.S. - The CDC reported a Listeria outbreak linked to energy supplement drinks distributed in long-term care facilities, with 38 confirmed infections and 12 deaths across 21 states [1][2][3] - The affected brands, Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco, have recalled all products within the expiration date, and Sysco is removing these items from inventory and halting production from the implicated facility [1][3] - The outbreak's earliest cases date back to 2018, but over half of the infections occurred in 2024 and 2025, primarily affecting individuals aged 65 and older [2][3] Group 2: Characteristics of Listeria - Listeria is a resilient bacterium that can survive on surfaces for extended periods, with symptoms typically appearing within two weeks after consuming contaminated food [4] - Symptoms range from mild (fever, muscle aches) to severe (headache, stiff neck, confusion), posing higher risks to pregnant women, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals [4] Group 3: Unknown Disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo - An unknown disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has resulted in over 50 deaths, with symptoms including fever, headache, and diarrhea, and a mortality rate of 12.49% [5][6] - The outbreak began on January 21, with 419 reported cases, and the World Health Organization is investigating the rapid spread and potential animal-to-human transmission [5][6] - Previous outbreaks in the region have raised concerns about the emergence of unknown pathogens, with a significant increase in such incidents reported over the past decade [6][7] Group 4: Humanitarian Crisis in the DRC - Ongoing conflicts in eastern DRC have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, leading to over 7,000 deaths and displacing hundreds of thousands, complicating efforts to control disease outbreaks [7] - The DRC Prime Minister highlighted the dire conditions in refugee camps and called for international action against neighboring countries supporting rebel groups [7]