United States
The FDA is currently investigating an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes. As of December 15, 2021, a total of 16 people infected with Listeria monocytogenes have been reported. No specific product has been linked to this investigation as of today. This investigation is ongoing.
According to CDC, Listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, and Listeria outbreaks are often linked to dairy products and produce.
This illness is most likely to sicken pregnant women and their newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems. Other people can be infected with Listeria, but they rarely become seriously ill.
Some CDC recommendations to prevent Listeriosis:
- Do not eat raw or lightly cooked sprouts of any kind (including alfalfa, clover, radish, and mung bean sprouts).
- Don’t let juice from hot dog and lunch meat packages get on other foods, utensils, and food preparation surfaces. For people at higher risk avoid eating hot dogs, lunch meats, cold cuts, other deli meats, or fermented or dry sausages unless they are heated to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot just before serving. Wash hands after handling hot dogs, lunch meats, and deli meats
- Only consume pasteurized milk and milk products, including soft cheese, ice cream, and yogurt. Look for the word “pasteurized” on the label. If in doubt, don’t buy it!
- Eat cut melon right away or refrigerate it. Throw away cut melons left at room temperature for more than 4 hours.
In case you are experiencing listeria monocytogenes symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, it is important to report it. It can help to detect & resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance.
For more details, check the FDA outbreak investigations site:
www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigations-foodborne-illness-outbreaks
Source: FDA & CDC
