The listeria outbreak in Michigan is still sending its bad news.
In the heart of the American Midwest, a seemingly harmless deli meat purchase turned into a terrifying ordeal for countless individuals.
The CDC last update dated August 28, 2024, refers to increased case counts.
Until this date, a total number of (57) hospitalized cases and (9 deaths).
This outbreak has affected until now more than 18 US states.
Analysing this outbreak is a great step in our journey to understand what is the best way to prevent poor food safety
It is not wise to keep watching these events without learning from them.
If we do not learn the lesson, more and more will suffer.
To understand the full extent of this tragedy and to prevent future occurrences, it is essential to delve into the root causes and learn from the lessons it offers.
listeria outbreak in Michigan event data:
The investigation started on July 19, 2024. and still open as the number of cases is increasing.
The gathered data from laboratories show that the source of this outbreak is sliced meats at delis which were contaminated with Listeria.
This is the list of recalled Boar’s Head Deli meat products.
According to CDC recommendations, Do not eat these products, throw them away, or call the suppliers about returns.
Also clean your refrigerator, containers, and surfaces.
Based on the fact that refrigerators do not kill Listeria, you have to avoid eating sliced deli meats unless it is reheated to +165° F.
This is the safe temperature that kills Listeria.
You can find more data in this post about the temperature danger zone (TDZ)
What is Listeria
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can cause listeriosis, a serious foodborne illness.
While relatively rare, listeriosis can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.
In the United States, for example, approximately 1,600 cases of listeriosis are reported each year.
Symptoms
Flu-like symptoms: Fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and headache
Gastrointestinal symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps
Neurological symptoms: Confusion, seizures, and meningitis (particularly in severe cases)
Characteristics of Listeria
Listeria is a hardy bacterium that can survive in harsh conditions, including cold temperatures.
This ability allows it to thrive in refrigerated foods, making it a significant public health concern.
Listeria can grow in a variety of environments, including soil, water, and the intestines of animals.
It can also contaminate food during processing, storage, or preparation.
People at higher risk
Pregnant women: Listeriosis can cause miscarriage, premature birth, or infection of the newborn
Newborns: Infants born to infected mothers may develop listeriosis shortly after birth
The elderly: Older adults are at increased risk due to weakened immune systems
People with weakened immune systems: Individuals with conditions such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, or organ transplants are more susceptible to listeriosis
How to avoid Listeria infection
In order to protect yourself and your family from Listeria and its deadly effects, there are many controls you need to follow:
The following controls will not only save you from Listeria but will generally help you to prevent poor food safety.
1. Practice Safe Food Handling:
Wash hands thoroughly: Wash your hands with soap and warm water before, during, and after handling food.
Here is the correct order of steps of handwashing you need to follow.
Clean surfaces and utensils: Regularly clean and sanitize surfaces and utensils that come into contact with food.
Separate raw and cooked foods: Keep raw meats, poultry, and seafood separate from cooked foods to prevent cross-contamination.
2. Cook Foods Properly:
Follow cooking instructions: Cook foods to their recommended internal temperatures to kill harmful bacteria, including listeria.
Use a food thermometer: A food thermometer is the most reliable way to ensure that food is cooked to the proper temperature.
If you want to know more about the temperature danger zone, you can read this article.
3. Refrigerate Foods Promptly:
Cool leftovers quickly: Refrigerate or freeze leftovers within two hours of cooking.
Store perishable foods at 40°F (4°C) or below: Keep perishable foods, including deli meats, refrigerated at or below 40°F (4°C) to prevent bacterial growth.
Remember that many other food storage practices can cause cross-contamination, which we must avoid.
4. Consume Foods Within Their Shelf Life:
Check expiration dates: Consume foods within their stated shelf life.
And properly differentiate between sell-by and expiry dates.
Discard foods that show signs of spoilage: Avoid consuming foods that are past their expiration date or show signs of spoilage, such as discoloration, slime, or an unpleasant odor.
5. Be Cautious with High-Risk Foods:
Handle deli meats with care: Deli meats, including hot dogs and luncheon meats, are often associated with listeria outbreaks.
Handle them carefully and consume them promptly.
Avoid unpasteurized dairy products: Unpasteurized dairy products, such as raw milk and cheese, may contain harmful bacteria, including listeria.
Both mentioned products and others are classified as TCS foods. They need further care.
For more information about the practices we can perform to avoid Listeria infection, read this recently created post.
Conclusion:
If it is impossible to eliminate accidents, it is not acceptable to let them pass without learning a lesson.
The listeria outbreak in Michigan is now history, we have to deal with history as a teacher.
Learning from accidents and outbreaks is the way to prevent poor food safety in the future.
