A listeria outbreak tied to deli meats has sickened nearly three dozen people across the country, killing two, officials said. Meanwhile, several varieties of bagged and bulk vegetables have recently been recalled over listeria concerns.
An estimated 1,600 people get listeria food poisoning each year, and about 260 die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Last week, the US Department of Agriculture announced a nationwide recall of over 200,000 pounds of Boar’s Head deli meats following deaths in Illinois and New Jersey.
At least 12 New Yorkers were sickened — the most of any state, the CDC said.
The agency noted on Thursday that nearly everyone it interviewed as part of the investigation reported eating meats sliced at a deli, not prepackaged deli meats. People most commonly reported eating deli-sliced turkey, liverwurst and ham.
What is listeria?
Listeria monocytogenes is a species of bacteria that causes foodborne illness. Symptoms range from mild to deadly, with pregnant women, the elderly and the immunocompromised at greatest risk for severe sickness.
Listeria bacteria can be found in soil, water and animal feces. People can get infected by eating raw vegetables that have been contaminated from soil or manure, contaminated meat, improperly processed deli meats, unpasteurized milk or foods made with unpasteurized milk, such as soft cheeses.
Listeria bacteria can survive refrigeration and even freezing.
Symptoms of listeria infection
Symptoms of a listeria infection include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Muscle aches
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
Signs and symptoms of listeria infection typically appear within two weeks of consuming contaminated food but can begin as soon as the day of exposure to the bacteria or even 10 weeks later.
If you experience these symptoms, contact your doctor, as they can typically 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 can appear as:
- Headache
- Stiff 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 exhaustion, the illness may lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or a potentially fatal infection for the newborn.
How to prevent listeria
Certain precautions can reduce the likelihood of a listeria infection. The Mayo Clinic recommends washing hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water before and after food prep and using the same measures to cleanse cutting boards, utensils and food prep surfaces after cooking.
It is also recommended that all food be cooked thoroughly and checked with a food thermometer and that raw vegetables be properly cleaned with a scrub brush or veggie brush before eating.
How is listeria spread?
According to the CDC, listeria germs can spread to food that touches contaminated factory or deli equipment or surfaces and from contaminated food to surfaces. It can also grow on foods in a refrigerator.
Compared to pre-packaged deli meats, deli meats sliced at the counter carry 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 potentially arrive from the manufacturer having already been contaminated with listeria, the pre-packaged options have a lower risk because they do not come into direct contact with other products.
“This is why it is so important that we keep Listeria from entering these foods in the first place,” Labus stressed, emphasizing the need for vigilance in food manufacturing 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 meats, ready-to-eat products like deli salads, soft cheeses and cut melons can also become contaminated with listeria and should be consumed with care.
The veggies recently recalled over listeria concerns include jalapenos, green peppers, green beans, bagged salads and pepper mixes.
