Recalled Pasta Meals Listeria: A nationwide listeria outbreak connected to recalled ready-to-eat pasta meals has claimed six lives and left several others hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Data shared by public health agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS), shows that 27 people across 18 states have been infected with the outbreak strain of listeria.

Out of 26 people with detailed medical information, 25 required hospitalization, and six deaths occurred in Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, Texas, and Utah. As reported by PEOPLE, one pregnancy-related infection also led to the loss of a baby.

The CDC noted that the real number of cases is likely higher since confirming a link to an outbreak can take several weeks, and some individuals may recover without medical attention.

As the listeria outbreak unfolds, it raises the question: how do you know if you are at risk?

Recalled Pasta Meals Listeria: Who All Are At Risks For Listeria Outbreak?

According to the CDC, listeria poses the greatest danger to pregnant women, adults over 65, and individuals with weakened immune systems. In these groups, the bacteria can spread beyond the intestines and cause a serious condition called invasive listeriosis.

• For pregnant women, infection can lead to pregnancy loss, premature birth, or severe illness in newborns.
• For older adults and people with compromised immunity, listeria often leads to hospitalization and, in some cases, death.

Other individuals may develop headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, along with fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.

Listeria Prepared Pasta Recall: How To Know If You Are Affected By Listeria

People usually get infected after consuming food contaminated with the bacteria. The incubation period, the time between infection and symptom onset, can range from 3 to 70 days, with an average of about 3 weeks. When a pregnant woman eats contaminated food, the infection can pass through the placenta to the baby.

As the CDC explains, healthy individuals may not show symptoms or might only develop mild, short-lived flu-like signs, sometimes with minor digestive discomfort. These mild infections typically remain limited to the gut lining.

In people at higher risk, the bacteria can spread into the bloodstream, leading to more severe complications. Older adults and those with weakened immune systems can develop meningitis or sepsis, which present as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.

Pregnant women may have few or no symptoms, but infection can still harm the baby, leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature labor, or meningitis in newborns. For more detailed information, pregnant women are advised to refer to official CDC guidance on listeria during pregnancy.

Recalled Pasta Meals Listeria: How Does Listeria Get Into Food?

Listeria monocytogenes is a naturally occurring bacterium found in soil and water. Vegetables may become contaminated through soil or manure-based fertilizers. Animals can also carry listeria without appearing sick, which means meat and dairy from these animals can be infected. In some cases, contamination occurs after food processing, such as in soft cheeses or deli products.

Listeria Prepared Pasta Recall: How Is Listeriosis Diagnosed?

Doctors typically confirm listeriosis by testing a patient’s blood or cerebrospinal fluid (the liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord). During pregnancy, a blood test is the most accurate way to determine whether a woman’s symptoms are caused by a listeria infection.

People taking one of Britain’s most widely prescribed painkillers have been reminded by the NHS to watch for serious side effects that should be reported to a doctor right away.** Gabapentin, available only by prescription, is mainly used to treat nerve-related pain caused by conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, shingles, and restless legs syndrome.

What Is Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)?

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a common condition across the UK. It’s estimated that around 10% of adults experience it, and about 2% deal with uncomfortable symptoms nearly every night. This means roughly 2.2 million people in the UK are likely to live with RLS at some point.

Medicines used to treat RLS include alpha-2-delta ligands, such as pregabalin and gabapentin. The specific drug and dosage vary depending on how severe the symptoms are and whether other health conditions are present. In some cases, long-term treatment may be needed.

What to Know About Gabapentin?

Gabapentin is among the most frequently prescribed medications in Britain. It is available in tablet, capsule, and liquid forms, and can be taken by most adults and by children aged six and older. While the majority of users do not experience side effects, a small number of people report certain reactions.

According to the NHS, “Like all medicines, gabapentin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. These common side effects of gabapentin may happen in more than one in 100 people. They’re usually mild and go away by themselves.”

Gabapentin: Common Side Effects

• Feeling sleepy, tired, or dizzy
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Mood changes
• Swelling in the arms or legs
• Blurred vision
• Dry mouth
• Difficulty getting an erection
• Weight gain
• Memory problems
• Headaches
• Getting more infections than usual

Some people may experience more serious side effects, such as thoughts of self-harm, swollen glands that do not go away, or persistent stomach pain, which can signal inflammation of the pancreas. The NHS emphasizes that these reactions are rare.

Using gabapentin for an extended period may, in rare instances, lead to dependence, so regular medical supervision is advised while taking this medication.

Who Can and Cannot Take Gabapentin?

The prescribed dose of gabapentin depends on the condition being treated. For adults and older children (aged 12 and above), the usual dosage ranges from 900 mg to 3,600 mg per day, divided into three doses.

For younger children under 12, a doctor will determine the right amount based on the child’s body weight.

Doctors may recommend an alternative to gabapentin in some situations, such as:

• If the person has had an allergic reaction to gabapentin or similar medicines
• If they have a history of drug misuse or addiction
• If they are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• If they are following a low-sodium or low-potassium diet, or have kidney problems, since the liquid form of gabapentin contains sodium and potassium

Speaking to a doctor before starting or adjusting gabapentin is essential to ensure the treatment is safe and effective for each individual.

The Food and Drug Administration on Friday moved to limit the use of fluoride supplements that are meant to strengthen children’s teeth. This decision marks another step by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his team to reassess chemicals long considered standard in dental care.

The FDA announced that these supplements should no longer be given to children under 3 years old or to older children who are not at a high risk of developing cavities. Until now, they had been prescribed for children as young as six months. The move follows a directive from the government’s Make American Healthy Again Commission to review the safety and benefits of these products.

What Are Kids’ Fluoride Supplements?

Fluoride is a mineral known to protect teeth from decay. It can be applied directly to the teeth, added to public water supplies, or taken in supplement form (known as systemic fluoride). It helps strengthen tooth enamel and shields it from the damage caused by plaque. Fluoride also supports the process of remineralization, which repairs the early stages of decay. These supplements are most often given to children.

Now, according to CNN, the FDA has sent notices to four companies warning them of potential enforcement actions for marketing unapproved fluoride-containing ingestible drugs labeled for use in children under age 3, or in older children at low or moderate risk for tooth decay. The agency has also issued letters to healthcare providers, advising them to avoid prescribing these supplements for those groups.

Why Is the Trump Administration Against Fluoride Supplements?

Fluoride has drawn increased attention from the Trump administration following recent research that reopened discussions about the possible health risks of high fluoride exposure. Despite this, most experts continue to highlight the proven safety and dental benefits of fluoride.

The United States began adding fluoride to public water systems in 1945 to make oral care more accessible and affordable. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention later named water fluoridation one of the top ten public health achievements of the 20th century, alongside vaccines, family planning, and workplace safety improvements.

According to federal data from 2022, most Americans live in areas where fluoride is added to the water. In regions where it is not, doctors often prescribe fluoride tablets or drops to help protect babies and children from cavities. However, this reliance on supplements could grow, as states like Utah and Florida have banned the addition of fluoride to public drinking water, and similar measures are being considered in several others.

In April, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to reevaluate the science around fluoride and issue new guidelines. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also said he would direct the CDC to stop recommending water fluoridation in local communities.

A new scientific review released Friday concluded that fluoride supplements “should not be used in children under age 3 or by older children who are not at high risk of tooth decay.” The FDA added that “the same property that allows fluoride to kill bacteria on teeth may also affect the gut microbiome, which could have wider health impacts.”

Why Do Dentists Recommend Fluoride Supplements?

Dentists prescribe fluoride tablets, drops, and lozenges to children who live in places without fluoridated water or who are more likely to get cavities. This includes children with poor dental hygiene, those who skip regular dental visits, or those with family members who have dental disease. These supplements are meant to provide the same level of fluoride protection that fluoridated water offers.

According to Dr. F. Perry Wilson, a physician and chronic disease epidemiologist at the Yale School of Medicine, fluoride drops and tablets deliver extra protection against cavities beyond what children get from toothpaste or mouthwash. Since these supplements enter the bloodstream and then the saliva, they help strengthen teeth from within, much like fluoridated water does, as reported by The New York Times.

A group of research lab monkeys escaped captivity in Mississippi as the truck carrying them overturned on Tuesday. The monkeys were on their way to a Tulane University research center in New Orleans from the University’s Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana.

At first, officials worried the monkeys might have dangerous sicknesses, like herpes. However, Tulane University quickly said the animals were healthy and disease-free. They confirmed the monkeys had not been near any germ that could cause an illness.

Videos of the crash on Interstate 59 showed monkeys crawling in the grass next to broken wooden cages. So far, 14 monkeys have been found, 5 died, while 2 are still at large and the search continues. While the health officials assured people that there were no possible disease outbreaks, questions about ethical considerations and risks that come with animal testing have been brought up.

Why Are Monkeys Used In Medical Research?

According to the European Animal Research Association (EARA), scientists generally use animals like mice and rats much more than monkeys. However, monkeys, also called non-human primates (NHPs), are sometimes needed because their bodies are the most like human bodies. This means that for some diseases, mice and rats just aren't good enough models to show how a treatment will work in a person.

The Understanding Animal Research UK Organization explains that the most commonly used monkeys in research are Rhesus macaques, Cynomolgus macaques, and Common Marmosets.

Old-world monkeys, which are Macaques, share 94% genetic code with humans while the new-world monkeys which are Marmosets, share 91.7% genetic code with humans. The EARA expands that monkeys are especially important for research on:

• Brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
• Reproduction (like developing IVF).
• Infections where a person's body reacts very differently from a rodent's.
• New surgical techniques like organ transplants.

Even in Europe, which has strict rules to protect lab animals, experts agree that while the goal is to stop using monkeys completely, a limited number are still necessary right now for key studies on the immune system and brain diseases.

What Are The Risks Involved With Animal Research?

The Hastings Center for Bioethics explains that despite being used for research and discovering new treatments, almost 100 percent of new drugs for Alzheimer's have failed over many years. Some scientists point out that rhesus monkeys don't naturally get the full disease, the way humans do.

This brings up a moral question: Are we using these animals because science truly requires it, or is it simply the easiest option?

When animal research doesn't result in a cure for people, which is called a "translational failure", it means the lives of these conscious, feeling animals are wasted in experiments that probably won't work. This failure is also bad for humans, who face risks in trials based on weak animal data and who keep waiting for medical breakthroughs that never arrive.

Are Monkey-Based Researches Accurate?

The accuracy of these tests and research has been questioned before. According to a 2023 explainer published in the Nature, a scientist named Dr. Jonah Sacha, who studies the body's immune system and how it fights disease, bought a group of monkeys for his research on infectious diseases.

Before starting his studies, Dr. Sacha followed standard safety procedures and took chest X-rays of all the monkeys. This is like giving them a quick check-up. During this screening, he made a worrying discovery: one of the monkeys was sick.

This monkey was carrying the bacteria that causes tuberculosis (TB). Even though the monkey wasn't showing signs of being sick, the X-ray showed it had latent TB. "Latent" means the TB germs were hidden or sleeping inside its body, ready to cause the full, active disease later on. This finding was a major problem because TB is highly contagious and could have easily spread to the other monkeys, and potentially even to the lab workers, creating a dangerous situation.

The researchers explain that it can lead to disruptions in the experiments and unreliable data.

Can Monkeys Be Replaced For Research?

The EARA explains that monkeys are currently required to test new drug safety because no other animal or lab model, like "organs-on-a-chip," can fully replicate the human body's complexity. Banning these studies would simply move them outside the EU, as global safety rules demand them. For specific human diseases, especially in brain science, monkeys remain the only suitable model, and replacements are not yet ready.

Researchers are currently working on ways to remove the need for animals in health research, however overturning the status quo may take a few more years.