Celery Listeriosis Caused Five Fatalities

Sangar Fresh Cut Produce has been told to shut down its food processing plant by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) due to listeria infection. Ten cases of listeria were reported in Bexar, Travis and Hidalgo counties, including 5 fatalities. Of those 10 cases, six have been linked to chopped celery and four of those people died.

Authorities believe that another person who died got listeriosis from another source not connected with Sangar products.

Sangar Produce and Processing has been ordered to immediately stop processing food and recall all products shipped from its San Antonio plant since January. State health authorities issued the recall after investigating 10 cases in which people with serious underlying health problems contracted listeriosis over an 8-month period.

State health inspectors said they believe the bacteria found in the chopped celery may have contaminated other products at the company's plant. According to Sangar's website, the company processes a wide variety of products -- including three varieties of lettuce, peppers, carrots, cucumbers and various cut-up fruit, as well as salad, fruit and soup mixes. They are distributed primarily in sealed packages to restaurants, hospitals, schools and other large institutions that serve food.

The state of Texas justified its closure of the Sangar plant, citing Texas law that authorizes such actions actions if conditions pose "an immediate and serious threat to human life or health." The CDC reports that the bacteria listeriosis sickens about 2,500 Americans and contributes to the death of 500 people annually.