The Agriculture Department recently announced the recall of 11.8 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products from BrucePac due to possible listeria contamination, following a similar recall of Boar’s Head deli meats in July. Listeria monocytogenes is a type of bacteria that can contaminate food and cause serious complications for pregnant women, newborns, adults over age 65, and individuals with weakened immune systems. The bacteria can lead to miscarriage, widespread infection, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord lining, muscle pain, and flu-like symptoms. Listeria is commonly found in deli meats, unpasteurized dairy products, soft cheeses, smoked fish, ice cream, and raw or processed vegetables.
Listeria can continue to grow in cold environments and thrives in low-acidity, moist conditions. This bacteria can be found in soil, water, and animal digestive systems, meaning it can be present in animal feces. Contamination can occur in food processing facilities, leading to outbreaks. Listeria can survive on surfaces and form biofilms, making it more resistant to cleaning methods. Symptoms of listeria infection can take up to three months to appear, and it can be especially dangerous for pregnant women, causing premature labor, low birth weight, and congenital health problems for the baby.
To prevent listeria contamination, individuals should avoid commonly contaminated foods, keep their refrigerator clean, and follow the ‘two-hour rule’ where prepared food and leftovers should be refrigerated or frozen within two hours. Pregnant Hispanic women are at a higher risk of listeria infection due to the consumption of soft cheeses like queso fresco. Overall, listeria is a serious concern, causing around 1,600 infections and 260 deaths in the United States each year, making it the third leading cause of death from food poisoning.
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