A listeria outbreak linked to deli meat has sickened nearly 30 people nationwide and killed two. Officials. meanwhile, Various vegetables in bags and bulk It was recently recalled due to concerns about Listeria contamination.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 1,600 people get listeria food poisoning each year and about 260 die from it.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Announced More than 200,000 pounds of Boar’s Head deli meat has been recalled nationwide following fatal incidents in Illinois and New Jersey.
At least 12 New Yorkers have fallen ill — More than any other state. CDC says.
The agency said Thursday: Nearly everyone interviewed as part of the study reported eating sliced meat from a deli. Unpackaged deli meatThe most commonly reported was eating sliced turkey, liverwurst, and ham from the deli.
What is Listeria?
Listeria monocytogenes is a type of bacteria. It causes food poisoning, with symptoms ranging from mild to fatal, and affects pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. They are at highest risk of developing serious illness.
Listeria is present in soil, water, and animal waste. People can become infected by eating raw vegetables contaminated by soil or manure, contaminated meat, improperly processed deli meats, unpasteurized milk, or foods made with unpasteurized milk, such as soft cheeses.
Listeria can survive refrigeration and even freezing.
Symptoms of Listeria Infection
Symptoms of Listeria infection include:
- heat
- cold
- muscle pain
- nausea
- diarrhea
Signs and symptoms of Listeria infection usually appear within two weeks of consuming contaminated food, but may begin the same day or up to 10 weeks after exposure to the bacteria.
If you experience any of 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, but in some cases, they can lead to life-threatening complications, including serious blood infections and meningitis.
If Listeria infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms may include:
- headache
- Stiff shoulder
- Confusion or changes in attention
- Loss of balance
- convulsions
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical attention.
Who is most at risk?
Pregnant women are more susceptible to Listeria infections than other healthy adults.
While some people may experience only mild symptoms such as fever, muscle aches and fatigue, it can also lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth or even fatal infections in the newborn.
How to prevent Listeria
You can reduce your chances of contracting Listeria by taking certain precautions. Mayo Clinic It is recommended that you wash your hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water before and after preparing food, and clean cutting boards, utensils and food preparation surfaces in the same manner after cooking.
Also, all food should be thoroughly cooked and checked with a food thermometer. Wash raw vegetables properly Wash with a scrub brush or vegetable brush before eating.
How does Listeria spread?
by CDCListeria can spread to food that has touched contaminated factory or deli equipment or surfaces, or from contaminated food onto surfaces, and it can also grow on food in refrigerators.
Compared to prepackaged deli meats, Deli meats sliced at the counter are at higher risk of contamination.
Dr. Brian Lavas An assistant professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas explains. Healthline “The difference is the risk of cross-contamination.”
Both types of deli meats may already be contaminated with Listeria when they arrive from the manufacturer, but prepackaged deli meats pose a lower risk because they don’t come into direct contact with other products.
“That’s why, Listeria “We have to stop it from getting into these foods in the first place,” Rabas stressed, emphasizing the need for vigilance in how food is produced and handled.
Is it safe to eat deli meat?
Rabas said Healthline Listeria “thrives in cold, high-salt environments, the exact same conditions commonly used to prevent bacterial growth in food.”
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 eating.
In addition to deli meats, ready-to-eat products such as deli salads, soft cheeses, and cut melon can also be contaminated with Listeria and should be consumed with caution.
Vegetables recently recalled over listeria concerns include jalapeños, bell peppers, green beans, bagged salads and pepper mixes.
