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Listeria How is listeriosis spread?

Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is
a harmful bacteria found in damp places, soil,
water, and decaying things. It can survive in
cold temperatures and can make people sick if
they eat contaminated food, causing a disease
called listeriosis. This bacteria can get into our
food during farming, processing, or storage,
and even pets can spread it if they eat
contaminated food.
What are the symptoms?
Flu-like symptoms (e.g high temperature,
aches and pains)
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhoea
Can spread to nervous system and cause
convulsions
In rare cases, can lead to septicaemia (blood
poisoning) or meningitis
What food sources can it be found in?
.Unpasteurised milk or products made from it
.Soft cheeses (e.g camembert, brie)
.Ready-to-eat foods (e.g pre-packed
sandwiches, pâté, deli meats)
.Unwashed vegetables contaminated with soil
Listeria bacteria can be found in water and soil.
Infected animals, even if they are not sick,
may carry the bacteria, spread it, and contaminate foods.
Listeria can be spread to people by several different methods.
Eating food contaminated with the bacteria, such as through raw
(unpasteurized) milk or contaminated vegetables,
is often a source for cases.
The bacteria may be passed from mother to fetus
during pregnancy or directly
to the newborn at the time of birth.
Listeria is especially harmful for some people:
Older adults (65 and older)
People who have weakened immune systems
(have health problems or take medicines that lower
the body’s ability to fight germs and sickness)
Pregnant people and newborns
Do not eat
Unpasteurized Soft Cheese
Examples: queso fresco and brie
Choose instead: Pasteurized soft cheeses heated to
165°F or until steaming hot
Deli-Sliced Cheeses
Unheated cheeses at a deli
Choose instead: Deli-sliced cheeses heated to
165°F or until steaming hot
Soft Cheeses
Examples: cottage cheese, cream cheese, string
cheese, and feta
Choose instead: Hard cheeses like cheddar and
parmesan
Deli Meat and Cold Cuts
Includes hot dogs and fermented or dry sausages
Choose instead: Reheat to 165°F or until steaming
hot
Good food hygiene
Take some simple food hygiene steps to reduce
the risk of foodborne disease.
Premade Deli Salads
Examples: coleslaw, potato salad, tuna salad, chicken
.Thoroughly wash and dry your hands before
salad
preparing food, particularly before preparing
Choose instead: Homemade deli salads
ready-to-eat food.
Refrigerated Pâté or Meat Spreads
.Keep your refrigerator clean and operate it
Choose instead: Pâté or meat spreads in sealed,
below 5°C.
airtight containers that don't need refrigeration before
.Wash knives, cutting boards and kitchen
opening
Refrigerated Smoked Fish
appliances and dry thoroughly after handling raw
food to prevent contamination of cooked and
Choose instead: Smoked fish in sealed, airtight
ready-to-eat foods.
packages that don't require refrigeration before
.Thoroughly wash and dry raw fruit and
opening
vegetables before eating or juicing.
Raw or Lightly Cooked Sprouts
.Thaw ready-to-eat frozen food in the refrigerator
Choose instead: Sprouts cooked until steaming hot
or microwave – don’t thaw at room temperature.
Cut Melon
.Thoroughly cook all raw meat, chicken and fish.
If left out for more than 2 hours (1 hour at
.Don’t leave foods to cool on the bench or stove
temperatures hotter than 90°F): Do not eat
top. Put them in the refrigerator after the steam
Choose instead: Freshly cut melon
has gone.
.If you are keeping food hot, keep it very hot
(60°C or hotter). Keep cold food cold (5°C or
colder).
.Thoroughly reheat food until it is steaming hot.
.Keep stored foods covered.
.Store raw meat separately from cooked and
ready-to-eat food in the refrigerator. Store it
below other foods so that there is no chance it
will drip onto other foods.