Food Safety Focus (220th Issue, November 2024) – Article 4

Listeria monocytogenes in Meat and Poultry Products

Recent news reported that about 10 million pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products were recalled in the United States due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Samples were found positive for Listeria monocytogenes in routine product testings by the regulatory authority. The products recalled include prepackaged sandwiches, salads and pastas.

Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogen widely dispersed in the environment and food. RTE foods with long shelf lives under refrigeration such as RTE meat or poultry are of higher risk since Listeria monocytogenes may proliferate after contamination of these RTE foods to a significant numbers at refrigeration temperatures when given sufficient time. The bacteria can be killed by cooking. Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause listeriosis with symptoms like fever, vomiting and diarrhoea. In pregnant women, the infection can result in miscarriages and stillbirths. Serious or fatal infections can occur in the elderly and individuals with weakened immune systems.

The public should check if food packages are intact. Chilled food should be cooked or reheated thoroughly before consumption. The trade should maintain good hygienic and food handling practices along food manufacturing processes.