Listeriosis is a disease caused by the bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes. Listeriosis is often acquired from consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Foods often implicated in Listeria outbreaks are Ready-to Eat foods. These include deli meats, soft cheeses, fresh fruits and vegetables, sprouts, and dairy products such as ice cream. Unlike most foodborne pathogens, Listeria monocytogenes is naturally present in the environment, it is salt tolerant, and it can grow under refrigeration temperatures. Although Listeria outbreaks rarely occur, more than half of the people that acquire listeriosis become hospitalized, and about 20% of them die.
Anyone can acquire Listeriosis but the elderly, pregnant people, infants, and people with compromised immune systems are at a much greater risk. Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, diarrhea, vomiting and in extreme cases loss of balance and convulsions can be experienced.
Protect yourself and your loved ones using these practices.
- Store perishable ready-to-eat food in a refrigerator at not more than 40F, or a freezer at not more than 0F.
- Use up or discard opened ready to eat foods within 5 days of storage under refrigeration.
- Cook foods to the minimum internal temperature recommended to destroy harmful microorganisms if present.
- Wash whole (un-cut) fruits and vegetables before consumption.
- People at greater risk are encouraged to limit consumption of high-risk foods (deli meats, raw milk and its products etc.) and to heat them to 165F before consumption.
- Always wash hands with soap and water before and after handling food.
- Clean the refrigerator regularly and wipe spills as soon as they occur. A secondary container such as a zip lock bag or food storage container can help to catch any unexpected juices from food.
Learn more about preventing listeria contamination in food using the resources below.
Resources
Clean and Sanitize the Kitchen. University of Illinois Extension.
Listeriosis (Listeria). Illinois Department of Public Health.
How Listeria Spread: Sprouts and Melons. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Foundations of Listeria Control. A free online self-paced course by the Meat Institute.