Listeria- What is it and Why Are So Many Recalls Linked to It?

Food recalls have become a normal occurrence throughout the United States and various parts of the world. We have had beef, chicken, salad mix, and a lot of other foods recalled for a variety of contaminants, but one contaminant that keeps popping up is Listeria. Education is key to understanding outbreaks in food and recalls, so today we will examine what Listeria is and how it is linked to our food supplies.

What is Listeria?

Listeria is caused by rod shaped bacteria known as Listeria Monocytogenes. Those exposed to the bacteria often require hospitalization and the mortality rate for victims of listeria is generally higher than other food borne bacteria such as salmonella. Listeria was first discovered in the early 1920s and went through several name changes until 1940 when it was finally named for Joseph Lister who was instrumental in sterilization techniques performed today by doctors the world over.

Statistics

Listeria cases according to the World Health Organization in 2010 was 23,150 people with 5,463 people dying from the bacteria. Mortality rate for Listeria victims remains at 22% currently. In 2011, a listeria outbreak in the United States due to cantaloupe caused 147 people to become sick with 33 reported deaths and was considered the deadliest food outbreak in the country.

How Contamination Happens

Listeria is a frightening bacterium and is largely spread through the mishandling of food. Improper hand washing procedures in food distribution facilities can quickly spread the bacteria to other foods in the same facility. Listeria can come into contact with food during harvest or within one of the various processing factories as it makes its way to store shelves.

What Foods Can Be Infected

Culprits for listeria bacteria are vast and include foods from a variety of food groups. The outbreak in 2011 was caused by cantaloupe, so melons are a common infected fruit. Prepackaged vegetables, fruit salads, and coleslaw have are prone to listeria as is raw meats, processed meats, such as hot dogs, and deli meats, and unpasteurized milk products. Essentially, Listeria is a possible contaminant that can infect a wide range of foods we eat on a daily basis.

Who Can Get It?

Unlike other forms of food borne bacteria, Listeria seems to attack certain groups of people. Pregnant women, humans with weakened immune systems, the elderly, and newborns are almost exclusively affected by Listeria. Listeria can occur in regular healthy adults and children, but symptoms are generally mild and rarely cause death. Growth of the bacteria occurs first in the liver and quickly spreads to the blood stream and to various parts of the body such as the brain, spinal cord, and digestive tract.

Gentle Processing™ Can Help

Prevention is key when it comes to any potential recall. At Gentle Processing™, we believe in killing off the bacteria before it has the chance to potentially harm anyone. With our specialized process, energy is used to sterilize the food at any level of processing chain. From harvest to your table, Gentle Processing™ an organic technology, is there to help your food remain safe without sacrificing any of its nutritional value. Was your food processed by Gentle Processing™?