Listeria is a type of food-borne bacteria that can grow in several foods, and consuming the bacteria can cause an illness called listeriosis. Pregnant women are 20 times more likely to develop illness after ingesting listeria and the infection can cause potentially deadly complications to the unborn baby, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Symptoms of listeriosis include flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Treatment for the infection includes antibiotic therapy, but knowing which foods can cause a listeria infection and using proper precaution can help prevent infection.
Unpasteurized Dairy Products
Eating unpasteurized dairy products can cause listeriosis. People who drink unpasteurized, or raw, milk or milk products increase their risk of developing the infection. Soft cheeses, often made from unpasteurized milk, also can contain listeria. Common soft cheeses that might have listeria include Brie, Camembert, feta, queso fresco and blue-veined cheeses. Semi-soft cheeses such as mozzarella and pasteurized cheeses do not pose the same threat. Keeping pasteurized dairy products in a refrigerator cooled to less than 40 degrees is important to keep listeria from growing, according to KidsHealth from Nemours.
Meat and Seafood Products
Meat products that pose the biggest risk for a listeria infection include ready-to-eat deli meats and hot dogs. Animals can carry the bacteria and not appear sick, but the bacteria can transfer to the meat during the slaughtering process. During processing, food manufacturers cook deli meats and hot dogs, which will kill the bacteria, but even after the initial cooking, listeria contamination can occur before packaging, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Due to the increased risk for developing listeriosis after eating the bacteria, pregnant women should heat hot dogs and luncheon meat until steaming hot to kill off any potential bacteria. Additional meat products that can pose a listera threat include refrigerated pâté and meat spreads. Canned versions of these items do not pose the same threat. Refrigerated, smoked seafood products, such as salmon, can carry listeria bacteria. Always cook meats and seafood completely to help prevent food-borne illnesses.
Contaminated Vegetables and Fruits
Some fruits and vegetables can have listeria growing on the outside and might get to the fruits and vegetables after coming into contact with contaminated soil containing manure. Washing all fruits and vegetables with water and scrubbing with a produce brush can help remove the harmful bacteria.
Ready-to-Eat Foods
When purchasing ready-to-eat or precooked foods that do not require reheating, such as coleslaw or potato salad, always eat the food as soon as possible to help prevent listeria growth because unlike other bacteria, listeria has the ability to grow in the refrigerator. Because you do not heat these foods, the risk for listeria contamination grows the longer they sit in the refrigerator. Heat leftover foods until steaming hot to kill any listeria contamination. Keeping the refrigerator clean might help prevent the spread of listeria from one food to another.
References
- U.S Food and Drug Administration: Special Handling for Ready-to-Eat, Refrigerated Foods
- KidsHealth from Nemours: Listeria Infections
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Listeriosis (Listeria) and Pregnancy
- MayoClinic.com: Listeria Infection
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Listeria
- Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Listeriosis
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