A listeriosis outbreak linked to processed meats has affected nearly three dozen people nationwide, including two deaths, officials said. Meanwhile, several varieties of bagged and bulk vegetables have recently been recalled due to listeriosis concerns.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1,600 people get listeria food poisoning each year, and about 260 die.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a nationwide recall of more than 200,000 pounds of Boar’s Head deli meat after deaths in Illinois and New Jersey.
At least 12 New Yorkers have been sickened, the most of any state, according to the CDC.
The agency noted Thursday that nearly all of those surveyed said they had eaten sliced meat from a deli, non-prepackaged cold cutsRespondents most often reported eating turkey, liverwurst and sliced ham from deli meats.
What is listeria?
Listeria monocytogenes is a species of bacteria that causes foodborne illness. Symptoms range from mild to fatal, in pregnant women, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems. those most at risk of serious illness.
Listeria bacteria can be found in soil, water, and animal feces. People can become infected by eating raw vegetables contaminated with soil or manure, contaminated meat, improperly processed deli meats, unpasteurized milk, or foods made with unpasteurized milk, such as soft cheeses.
Listeria bacteria can survive refrigeration and even freezing.
Symptoms of Listeria Infection
Symptoms of Listeria infection include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Muscle aches
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
Signs and symptoms of Listeria infection usually appear within two weeks of eating contaminated food, but can begin as early as the day of exposure to the bacteria or as late as 10 weeks later.
If you experience these symptoms, contact your doctor, as they can usually be resolved with antibiotic treatment.
Listeria infections usually cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms that resolve quickly without treatment. However, in some cases, they can lead to life-threatening complications, including serious bloodstream infection or meningitis.
If a Listeria infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms may include:
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion or changes in alertness
- Loss of equilibrium
- Convulsions
If you experience any of these problems, seek emergency medical attention.
Who is most at risk?
Pregnant women are much more susceptible to Listeria infection than other healthy adults.
Even if symptoms are only mild, such as fever, muscle aches or exhaustion, the disease can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or a life-threatening infection in the newborn.
How to prevent listeriosis
Certain precautions can reduce the risk of Listeria infection. The Mayo Clinic recommends washing your hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water before and after preparing food, and using the same measures to clean cutting boards, utensils, and food preparation surfaces after cooking.
It is also recommended to cook all foods thoroughly and check them with a food thermometer and to clean raw vegetables properly with a scrub brush or vegetable brush before eating them.
How is listeria spread?
According to the CDC, Listeria germs can spread to foods that come into contact with contaminated equipment or surfaces in factories or delis, and from contaminated foods to surfaces. They can also grow on foods stored in the refrigerator.
Compared to pre-packaged cold cuts, Cold cuts cut at the counter pose a higher risk of contamination.
Dr. Brian Labus, an assistant professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, tells Healthline that “the difference is the risk of cross-contamination.”
While both types of deli meats could potentially arrive from the manufacturer contaminated with listeria, pre-packaged options pose a lower risk because they do not come into direct contact with other products.
“That’s why it’s so important that we continue Listeria “Pesticides should not be getting into these foods in the first place,” Labus stressed, emphasizing the need for increased vigilance in food manufacturing and handling practices.
Is it safe to eat deli meats?
Labus told Healthline that listeria “thrives in conditions of low temperature and high salt — the exact conditions we typically use to prevent bacterial growth in foods.”
For this reason, the CDC recommends that pregnant women and other at-risk groups avoid deli meats or heat them to 165 degrees Fahrenheit before consuming them.
In addition to deli meats, ready-to-eat products such as deli salads, soft cheeses and cut melons can also be contaminated with listeria and should be consumed with caution.
Vegetables recently recalled due to listeria concerns include jalapeño peppers, green bell peppers, green beans, bagged salads and pepper mixes.