An outbreak of listeria linked to edible gums has sickened about three dozen people across the country, killing two, officials said. Meanwhile, some varieties of bagged and bulk vegetables have recently been recalled due to listeria 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 hog’s head plantain meat following deaths in Illinois and New Jersey.
At least 12 New Yorkers got sick — the most of any state, the CDC said.
The agency noted Thursday that nearly all of those interviewed as part of the investigation reported eating sliced meat. non-prepackaged edible meats. People most commonly reported eating sliced turkey, liver, and bacon.
What is listeria?
Listeria monocytogenes is a type of bacteria that causes foodborne illness. Symptoms range from mild to deadly, with pregnant women, the elderly and immunocompromised at greater risk for serious illness.
Listeria bacteria can be found in soil, water and animal feces. People can become infected by eating raw vegetables that have been contaminated by soil or manure, contaminated meat, meat from improperly processed foods, unpasteurized milk, or foods made with unpasteurized milk, such as soft cheeses.
Listeria bacteria can survive refrigeration and even freezing.
Listeria infection symptoms
Symptoms of a listeria infection include:
- fever
- Chills
- Muscle pain
- nausea
- diarrhea
Signs and symptoms of listeria infection usually appear within two weeks of consuming the contaminated food, but can begin as early as the day of exposure to the bacteria or as long 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 a serious blood infection or meningitis.
If a listeria infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms may appear as:
- Headache
- Frozen neck
- Confusion or changes in alertness
- Loss of balance
- Convulsions
If you are experiencing any of these systems, seek emergency care.
Who is most at risk?
Pregnant women are much more susceptible to listeria infection than other healthy adults.
While they may only experience mild symptoms such as fever, muscle aches or fatigue, the disease can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth or a potentially fatal infection in the newborn.
How to prevent listeria
Some precautions can reduce the likelihood of a listeria infection. The Mayo Clinic recommends washing your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap 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 that all food be thoroughly cooked and checked with a food thermometer and that raw vegetables are properly cleaned with a scrub brush or vegetable brush before eating.
How is listeria spread?
According to the CDC, listeria germs can be spread in food that touches contaminated factory or food equipment or surfaces and from contaminated food on surfaces. It can also grow in refrigerated foods.
Compared to prepackaged meats, the meats of cut foods at the counter have a greater risk of contamination.
Dr. Brian Labus, an assistant professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, explains to Healthline that “the difference is the risk of cross-contamination.”
While both types of deli meats can come from the manufacturer already contaminated with listeria, prepackaged options have a lower risk because they don’t come into direct contact with other products.
“That’s why it’s so important that we hold on Listeria from entering these foods in the first place”, emphasized Labus, emphasizing the need for vigilance in food production and handling practices.
Is it safe to eat deli meat?
Labus told Healthline that listeria “thrives in low-temperature, high-salt conditions — the exact conditions we generally use to prevent bacterial growth in food.”
Because of this, the CDC recommends that pregnant women and other at-risk groups avoid deli meat or heat it to 165 degrees Fahrenheit before consuming it.
In addition to deli meat, ready-to-eat products such as deli salads, soft cheese and sliced melon can also be contaminated with listeria and should be consumed with caution.
Vegetables recently recalled for listeria concerns include jalapenos, green peppers, green beans, bagged lettuce and mixed peppers.
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