There have been multiple recent news reports of food recalls due to possible contamination of the organism Listeria monocytogenes, but what is Listeria, and how can it affect you?
Listeria has the strongest effect on children, frail or elderly, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women. It can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, meningitis, and in some cases even death. Most people will require hospital treatment. Even healthy individuals may suffer long term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
1,600 people in the US get sick from Listeria germs each year.
Listeria is the 3rd leading cause of death from food poisoning.
At least 90% of people who get Listeria infections are either pregnant women and their newborns, people 65 or older, or people with weakened immune system*
If you are preparing food for someone who is pregnant, 65 or older, or has a weakened immune system, then you must be careful when selecting, preparing, and storing foods.
Follow these simple rules:
– Select, prepare, and store food safely.
– Clean, Separate, Cook, Chill
– Follow the safe food guidelines
*Source CDC