The United States issues a nationwide alert over a deadly outbreak linked to the spread of the popular snack

A deadly listeria outbreak has prompted a nationwide alert in the United States.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the outbreak has been linked to peaches, plums or nectarines from Hamad Medical Corporation farms.

This is due to the death of one person and the transfer of 10 others to the hospital, after eating fruit products from the company in stores across the states. Among the ten, there was a pregnant woman who went into early labor.

Anyone who purchased them between May 1 and November 15 in 2022 and 2023 is advised to dispose of them immediately and clean the areas where they were stored, the CDC said.

Products are sold in 2-pound bags and are branded as HMC Farms or Signature Farms. The numbers are: yellow peach 4044 or 4038, white peach 4401, yellow nectarine 4036 or 4378, white nectarine: 3035, red plum 4042, and black plum: 4040.

They can also be found as individual fruits with a label bearing a USA and EU number.

Victims have been located in seven states so far: California, Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Florida.

Since it takes up to four weeks to determine if someone is part of an outbreak, the number of people infected is likely to rise, the CDC said.

“Listeria can survive in the refrigerator and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces,” the center added in a food safety alert.

As mentioned above, Listeria is a rare bacteria that can cause serious problems for pregnant women, newborns, or people with weakened immune systems if ingested through food.

It causes listeriosis, a serious infection with a mortality rate of about 20-30%. It can cause fever, muscle pain, fatigue, and, in some serious cases, sepsis or meningitis.

The most recent listeria outbreak in Florida occurred on June 30, 2022, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.